(by Steve Hopkins)
Jenson Van Emburgh, one of America’s top para athletes, visited Europe earlier this month to play in two para events. He competed in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy in the 2024 ITTF Lignano Masters Para Open from March 6-9, and he competed in Platja d’Aro, Spain in the 2024 ITTF Costa Brava Spanish Para Open from March 11-16. This was Jenson’s first trip to Europe this year – but with the Paralympic Games coming up this Summer, Jenson will spend some more time on that side of the Atlantic.
At the Lignano Masters Para Open, many of the top players in his class were present. Like most of table tennis, the elite are often from China, Germany, and France. Jenson won his group matches easily and once into the knock-out rounds, he won 3-0 over World No. 7 Thomas Bruechle of Germany, and 3-1 over World No. 15 Petr Svatos of the Czech Republic on his way to the Semifinals. In the Semis, Jenson lost a tight match to World No. 1 Feng PanFeng. Jenson won the first game, and led most of the second game as well, but Feng fought back (from down 8-10) to win the second game – and then used that momentum to close out the match 3-1. As Jenson said later, ” I was playing incredible and leading 1-0, 10-8, but the experience of the paralympic champion took over and he ended up winning 3-1.” A Bronze for Jenson.
In Spain at the Costa Brava Spanish Para Open, Jenson entered Class 3 Singles as the top seed. He cruised through the group but was pressed in the Semifinal – needing to pull out a 14-12 win in the fifth to defeat Vasyl Petruniv of Ukraine 3-2. Jenson then carried that momentum into the final where he defeated Maciej Nalepka of Poland 3-1. When asked about his win over Petruniv, Jenson said, “A nail biter – He played incredible and I didn’t feel I was at my best but I found a way to win.” Jenson also teamed with Marliane Santos from Brazil to play mixed doubles in Costa Brava. The pair maneuvered through the draw before falling to a Korean Team. Two medals (one Gold and one Silver) in Spain.
Three medals in two tournaments is a great start to 2024.
If you are interested in becoming directly involved in Jenson’s 
training efforts, visit Operation Gold a GoFundMe page dedicated to helping Jenson procure coaching, equipment, and helping to cover his living and travel expenses as he struggles to make table tennis (and his quest for Gold as he represents the USA) his full time job.
Check out Jenson’s TeamUSA Profile and his Butterfly Profile.
Visit ButterflyOnline.com for the latest table tennis news and results.
