Table Tennis: Serbia's Para Table Tennis Performance
Serbia demonstrated its competitive spirit in the para table tennis arena, fielding a dedicated team of five athletes. The qualification process for the squad was diverse: Borislava Peric-Rankovic secured her spot through the 2019 ITTF European Para Championships held in Helsingborg, Sweden, while the remaining four athletes qualified via the World Ranking allocation system.
Key Facts
- Total Athletes: 5 representatives from Serbia.
- Qualification Paths: ITTF European Para Championships and World Ranking allocation.
- Men's Representation: Mitar Palikuća and Goran Perlić.
- Women's Representation: Ana Prvulović, Borislava Perić, and Nada Matić.
- Events: Competition spanned Individual and Team categories across various classifications.
Men's Competition Results
The Serbian men competed in both individual and team events, facing stiff international competition from Norway, Argentina, Turkey, South Korea, Mexico, and Russia.
Individual Events
Mitar Palikuća competed in the Individual C5 category. He started strong in the group stage with a 3-2 win over Urhaug (NOR) and advanced through the first round by defeating Depergola (ARG) 3-0. However, his run ended in the quarterfinals with a 1-3 loss to Öztürk (TUR).
Goran Perlić competed in the Individual C2 category. After an initial 0-3 loss to Park (KOR) in the group stage, he bounced back in the first round to defeat Turcio (MEX) 3-2. He was eventually eliminated in the quarterfinals following a close 2-3 match against Nazirov (RPC).
Team Events
The duo of Mitar Palikuća and Goran Perlić teamed up for the Team C4-5 event. Their journey was short-lived, as they were eliminated in the first round after a 1-2 loss to Poland (POL).
Women's Competition Results
The women's team showed significant resilience across multiple classifications, competing in individual matches and a collaborative team event.
Individual Events
Ana Prvulović competed in the Individual Class 1-2. Following a 0-3 loss to Liu (CHN) in the group stage, she secured a 3-0 victory over Bootwansirina (THA) to reach the quarterfinals, where she lost 0-3 to Seo (KOR).
Borislava Perić competed in the Individual C4 category. She dominated the early stages with 3-0 wins over both Lu (TPE) in the group stage and Bailey (GBR) in the first round. Her progression stopped in the quarterfinals with a 0-3 loss to Patel (IND).
Nada Matić also faced a challenging path. After a 0-3 loss to Mikolaschek (GER) in the group stage, she won her first-round match 3-0 against Di Toro (AUS), but fell 2-3 in the quarterfinals to Jaion (THA).
Team Events
Borislava Perić and Nada Matić represented Serbia in the Team C4-5 event. The pair achieved a decisive 2-0 victory over RPC (RPC) in the first round but were subsequently eliminated after a 0-2 loss to Sweden (SWE).
Performance Summary
| Athlete | Event | Best Stage Reached | Notable Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitar Palikuća | Individual C5 | Quarterfinals | Depergola (ARG) 3-0 |
| Goran Perlić | Individual C2 | Quarterfinals | Turcio (MEX) 3-2 |
| Ana Prvulović | Individual Class 1-2 | Quarterfinals | Bootwansirina (THA) 3-0 |
| Borislava Perić | Individual C4 | Quarterfinals | Lu (TPE) 3-0 |
| Nada Matić | Individual | Quarterfinals | Di Toro (AUS) 3-0 |
| Perić & Matić | Team C4-5 | Round 2 | RPC (RPC) 2-0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Serbian athletes participated in the table tennis competition?
Serbia entered a total of five athletes into the competition.
How did Borislava Peric-Rankovic qualify for the games?
She qualified through the 2019 ITTF European Para Championships held in Helsingborg, Sweden.
Which Serbian athletes reached the quarterfinals in individual events?
Mitar Palikuća, Goran Perlić, Ana Prvulović, Borislava Perić, and Nada Matić all reached the quarterfinals in their respective individual categories.
What was the result of the Serbian women's team in the Team C4-5 event?
The women's team, consisting of Borislava Perić and Nada Matić, won their first match against RPC (RPC) 2-0 but lost their second match to Sweden (SWE) 0-2.
How did the other four athletes qualify if not through the European Championships?
The other four athletes qualified via World Ranking allocation.