USATT ANNOUNCES THREE PARA PLAYERS QUALIFIED FOR THE TOKYO 2020 PARALYMPIC GAMES
Tahl Leibovitz, Ian Phillip Seidenfeld and Jenson Van Emburgh have qualified and will compete in the Paralympic Games in Tokyo next summer.
(Colorado Springs, CO – July 2nd, 2020) – USA Table Tennis (“USATT”), the National Governing Body for the sport of table tennis, have announced three Para table tennis players that have qualified for the Paralympic Games that will take place in Tokyo, Japan next summer.
Tahl Leibovitz, Ian Phillip Seidenfeld and Jenson Van Emburgh will represent Team USA at the Paralympic Games. Jenson Van Emburgh is currently #1 in the world U-23 and #11 in the world among all players in class 3. Ian Phillip Seidenfeld is #3 U-23 and #16 among all in class 6 and Tahl Leibovitz is ranked #10 in the world in class 9.
“We are all very proud of Team USA players. Tahl will have a chance to fight for another Paralympic gold,” says Jasna Rather USATT Director of Para Programs. “I started my work journey in Para Table Tennis about the same time as Jenson and Ian started competing. Support from their parents, local coaches and USATT were key ingredients for the success of these wonderful young athletes. To be one of top World players in such a short time is truly proud moment for all.”
Ian Phillip Seidenfeld is excited about the opportunity to compete on a world stage. “I’m excited that I qualified. Qualifying is an important step towards my ultimate goal, and I hope to accomplish much more next year in Tokyo.”
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to represent the United States at the Tokyo Paralympics. Thanks to my family and everyone that has supported me to get here. This is only the beginning of big things,” states Jenson Van Emburgh.
Tahl Leibovitz on entering in his sixth Paralympic games, "I think this will be the best ever. I am looking forward to an amazing experience with my team mates. I would like to thank my my wife and my family and coaches. I will continue to do the best I can and train every day until the games. It’s always an honor to represent the United States.”
USATT have qualified a total of nine table tennis athletes currently to Tokyo for the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games next summer. The Olympic games are scheduled July 23rd, 2021 and Paralympic games for August 24th, 2021 after being rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All nominations to the 2020 U.S. Paralympic Team are pending approval of the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee.
Tahl Leibovitz – Bio
Ian Phillip Seidenfeld – Bio
Jenson Van Emburgh - Bio
For more information on the announcement visit: https://www.ittf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/20200630_ITTF_Tokyo-2020-Qualifiers.pdf
About USA-Table Tennis
USA Table Tennis is organized under the United States Olympic Committee as the National Governing Body for the sport of table tennis in the United States. As a member service organization, it promotes table tennis by creating opportunities for athletes and coaches of all backgrounds to participate in the sport through more than 250 clubs and over 350 tournaments across the nation annually. USA Table Tennis is a member of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) and is responsible for selecting and training teams for international competition including the Pan American and Olympic Games.
Contact:
Chad Knasinski
Director of Marketing and Communications
Chad.Knasinski@usatt.org
