In a moving and simple ceremony, the Pre-Olympic Table Tennis Tournament opened this morning with the presence of Carlos Neuhaus, the president of the Lima 2019 Organizing Committee.

This event took place in Sports Center 3 at the National Sports Village (VIDENA). This venue was built specially for the Pan American and Parapan American Games and will now welcome this tournament, which is the most important event to take place after Lima 2019 ended in September 1, as it is a qualifier for Tokyo 2020.

The president of the Latin American Table Tennis Union, Juan Vila; the secretary general of the Peruvian Olympic Committee, Carlos Manual Lazarte; and the president of the Peruvian Table Tennis Federation, Marisol Espiniera, were also present at the opening ceremony.

Neuhaus highlighted the legacy that Lima 2019 is leaving for athletes who are now competing on world-class stages. “It is very valuable that Peru has been chosen as the venue for this Pre-Olympic Tournament. Lima 2019 was a dream that seemed impossible, but we did it for the athletes. It was worth the effort, because the investment enabled us to have first-rate facilities. This is a chance to show what we have as a country and now our athletes can compete in quality venues,” said the president of Lima 2019.

Meanwhile, Juan Vila recalled the success of Lima 2019. “Carlos Neuhaus being here is important to us, because he was the captain of Lima 2019. This tournament will have a place in all of our hearts. It is the best organized activity in the Pan American Games It is a source of pride, so I congratulate the organization. All of this has led to you now hosting a qualifying tournament for Tokyo 2020,” stated the international executive. 

This is the first tournament of major importance after the Pan American and Parapan American Games ended, as it is a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Top athletes in the continent like Hugo Calderano from Brazil and Adrian Díaz from Puerto Rico, who won the gold medal at the Pan American Games and qualified for Tokyo 2020, will participate in this international competition. 

Also participating in this tournament are Brazilian’s Vitor Ishiy, Pan American champion at Asuncion 2019, and Bruna Takahashi, singles bronze medal winner and doubles bronze medal winner alongside Jessica Yamada who, in turn, is a mixed doubles silver medal winner with Gustavo Tsuboi and team silver medal winner with Caroline Kumahara and Jessica Yamada at the Lima 2019 Pan American Games. Finally, the Chilean, Argentinian and Peruvian national teams will also take part.