by InTrieste
In a triumph of youth and determination, Italy’s Matteo Parenzan stunned the crowd at the Paris Paralympics, securing his spot in the table tennis gold medal final. At just 21 years old, the athlete from Trieste delivered a masterclass in precision and control, toppling reigning Paralympic champion Ian Seidenfeld of the United States with an emphatic 3-0 victory: 11-7, 11-2, 11-8.
The audience watched as Parenzan, who has shown remarkable promise in the sport from a young age, dismantled his seasoned opponent. Seidenfeld, who entered the match as the reigning gold medalist, was a heavy favorite, but Parenzan’s disciplined approach and sharp focus proved too much to handle.
“I am incredibly happy and excited,” Parenzan said after his victory. “On Friday I’ll be playing in front of 6,000 people, with great support like today, in a Paralympic final. It’s been a dream of mine since I was a child, and to achieve it at 21 is something unbelievable.”
The final, scheduled for Friday, September 6, promises to be another high-stakes contest. Parenzan will face 37-year-old Thai player Thainyom, who earned his spot after overcoming Denmark’s Peter Rosenmeier in the other semifinal match.
Parenzan’s journey to the final has been one of resilience, focus, and long-standing determination. “I knew perfectly well that today’s match had to be strong technically, tactically, and mentally,” Parenzan explained. “I showed that from the start, even though I was a bit tense. A match like this brings great tension and pressure, but what can I say? I’m overjoyed. I’ve been waiting for this match against Seidenfeld for three years: I had it marked on the calendar, and today, I seized the opportunity by winning 3-0.”
As Parenzan heads into the biggest match of his career, Italy is hoping that its young star will cap off this extraordinary achievement with a gold medal — a dream born in childhood, now within touching distance on one of the world’s biggest stages.
Matteo Parenzan’s Paralympic Final
Friday, September 6, 5:00 PM
Opponent: Thainyom (Thailand)
Venue: Paris Paralympic Arena
