(by Steve Hopkins)
Jenson Van Emburgh played two para events in Europe earlier this month. He returned home with a pair of first place finishes.
The first event was the 2024 Montenegro Para Championships which was held in Podgorica, Montenegro from May 1-4. Jenson swept through the group stage of Men’s Class 3 Singles with two easy 3-0 wins. With a bye in the first knock-out round, Jenson next faced Martin Lukas of the Czech Republic – another 3-0 win for the American. In the Semis, Jenson topped Germany’s Thomas Oliver Bruechle. And in the Final, it was Jenson over Yeongjin Jang of Korea 3-1. Jang is ranked 8th in this class in the World, so that was a solid win. Jenson is working hard to peak at just the right time, as he said, “I feel like I am getting better and better with handling the pressure and expectation to win.”
The second event on Jenson’s min-tour of Europe, was the 19th I Feel Slovenia Open Thermana Lasko which was held from May 7-11 in Lasko, Slovenia. Jenson managed to move through his group 3-0, but he was pressed in the second group match against Mladen Ciric of Serbia (World No. 16). The other two group matches were 3-0 wins (over Vasyl Petruniv of Ukraine and Edi Ravnjak of Slovenia. In the Quarters, Jenson topped Alexander Ohgren of Sweden, and then scored a 3-1 win over Korea’s Yongbok Baek in the Semifinals. That set up a Final against Thailand’s Yuttajak Glinbanchuen. Ohgren is ranked No. 10 in the Class in the World, and Baek is No. 9 – but the Final was against World No. 3. In that final, Jenson dominated – winning 3-0 over one of the top players in the world.
Two tournaments – two first place finishes. Perhaps more importantly, strong and consistent play from start to finish. Jenson said of his trip, “I am just very relieved and proud of all of my hard work that I put in between my last tournament in March and May. I feel I improved in a lot of areas and am so happy for the back to back gold medal results.” Jenson plans to keep working hard so that he is at his best at the Paris 2024 Paralympics at the end of August.
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