Laurens Devos Aspires for Olympic Glory Following His Paralympic Success

Laurens Devos' Record-Breaking Performance

Dominating his category (T9) for close to 10 years, Laurens Devos added another memorable line to his resume on Saturday, capturing his third Paralympic title in table tennis. He triumphed in three sets against French player Lucas Didier in the finals, enjoying the atmosphere with a packed audience of French and Belgian fans.

A Special Victory

‘This medal is the most special of the three. It was amazing to play in this atmosphere. My family was here, alongside many Belgians and French. What a vibe! It was my first time playing in front of so many people,’ stated a mesmerized Devos to Emmanuel Debiève. He added, ‘The whole match was tough. I had to stay focused on each point, especially during the challenging moments. I managed to concentrate well, and that made a difference. I played at a high level throughout the tournament.’

Future Aspirations and Challenges

Devos, who suffers from hemiplegia causing mobility loss on the right side of his body, now dreams of facing able-bodied table tennis players at the Olympic Games. ‘I am currently ranked 5th among the able-bodied Belgians, and my next goal is to compete in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games. I hope to finish my studies next year so I can fully focus on ping pong. I also need to find sponsors to support my tournament participation since playing in many competitions is necessary for earning points. I want to pursue this dream without regrets as I grow older,’ declared 24-year-old Devos.