The 11-day programme in Laško has come to an end, bringing to a close the 21st I Feel Slovenia Thermana Open, the world’s largest table tennis tournament for para athletes. Over the past 11 days, Laško hosted two high-quality tournaments of different levels: first, 336 players from 45 countries competed at the ITTF Para Challenger Laško 2026, followed by the strongest-level ITTF Para Elite event, featuring 296 players from 40 countries.
Strong International Competition
From Monday to Wednesday, the singles programme of the ITTF Para Elite Laško 2026 took place, followed by the doubles and mixed doubles events, which continued until Friday. The most successful were the representatives of South Korea, who won seven titles or medals in singles and doubles events. Thailand concluded the tournament with four titles, while Brazil, Ukraine, China and Poland each won three.
South Korea celebrated victories in the men’s singles through Kim Hyeon Uk and Park Jin Cheol, and in the women’s singles through Seo Su Yeon and Yoon Jiyu. The Koreans were also successful in doubles, with Kim Hyeon Uk and Jang Yeongjin winning the MD4 title, while Kim Hyeon Uk and Yoon Jiyu also triumphed in XD4.
Thailand secured titles in men’s doubles, women’s doubles, mixed doubles and in the men’s singles through Chalermpong Punpoo. Brazil, Ukraine, China and Poland each won three medals. Brazil claimed victory in mixed doubles XD10 and XD17, as well as in the women’s singles through Lethicia Lacerda. Ukraine succeeded in M18 and XD14, and in the women’s singles through Maryna Lytovchenko. China won titles in M3, W8 and WD14, while Poland triumphed in M8, W9 and W10. One title each was also won by Great Britain, Chile, Belgium, France, Australia, Finland and Japan.
A total of 32 titles were awarded across singles and doubles events. The efforts of the organisers were once again rewarded with a Slovenian medal, as Andreja Dolinar won bronze in doubles. The medals were presented to the best competitors at the closing ceremony by Damijan Lazar, president of the organising committee, Grega Dolinar, technical director, and Tomas Varga, ITTF competition director.
“The Elite tournament is over, and it was a very tough one. The world’s elite were gathered here. I am not disappointed with our performances. I had warned the players that we would not be focusing on results, but rather on progress in their game and on identifying areas where we can still improve. We are returning to training,” said Nik Velikonja after the competition. He led part of the Slovenian team, while the other part was led by Bojan Lukežič. Under Lukežič’s guidance, Andreja Dolinar won bronze in women’s doubles together with Finland’s Aino Tapola.
“We knew the tournament would be very strong. However, I am not satisfied with how our players performed. They know how to play and are capable of much more, but there was too much respect on their part,” said coach Bojan Lukežič in his assessment of the performances.
“This Elite tournament was very demanding, with high-quality teams and players taking part. I am not satisfied with my own game, but it has to be acknowledged that the tournament was extremely strong,” said Andreja Dolinar, who added another medal to her collection.
“I am happy that we have such a strong and high-quality tournament at home, in Laško,” Andreja added. “I have not said my last word yet. After every tournament, I think about what I still need to train. I do not lack motivation. I believe in my coach Bojan Lukežič and that he will devote his time to me, even though I am no longer young and talented, but I have a lot of willpower. Without the older ones, there can be no younger ones.”
Without Gorazd
“Above all, we are ending the tournament satisfied. Despite the absence of Gorazd Vecko, who left us far too soon last year, the event ran well and smoothly. It is clear that we did excellent work during the preparations, which began as early as December last year. All teams are leaving Laško satisfied, and everyone felt welcome here. We proved that we are capable of organising two such high-profile tournaments over two weeks under the shared name of the 21st I Feel Slovenia Thermana Open. We faced some logistical challenges, also due to the condition of roads in the country, but we successfully resolved them as well,” said Damijan Lazar, president of the tournament’s organising committee and president of the Sports Federation for the Disabled of Slovenia – Slovenian Paralympic Committee.
“The best players in the world were certainly in Laško, which shows that para table tennis is truly at a very high level. Asian players still dominate, or are the strongest in the game, while Europe is somehow following and breathing down their necks. Nevertheless, we can say that para table tennis is one of the sports with a bright future and a very high quality of play,” Lazar added when reflecting on the competitive side of the event. He also expressed satisfaction with the progress of Slovenian player Karin Praček, whom the federation will support with additional international competitions to help her develop and establish herself.
Remembering Gorazd Vecko
At the start of the 21st I Feel Slovenia Thermana Laško Open, the opening ceremony was dedicated to Gorazd Vecko, who passed away unexpectedly last October. On behalf of the organisers, Matija Krnc and Mateja Pintar Pustovrh paid tribute to him. Pintar Pustovrh, who was coached by Vecko and became Paralympic champion under his guidance in 2004, was among the first to sign a large table tennis racket placed in the hall as a lasting tribute to his memory. Everyone signed it, and last night it was presented as a permanent keepsake to Sabina Vecko, the wife of the late Gorazd.
Medal Winners – Doubles
Men’s Doubles
MD4 – KIM Hyeon Uk / JANG Yeongjin (South Korea)
MD8 – GLINBANCHUEN Yuttajak / CHAIWUT Wanchai (Thailand)
MD14 – SHILTON Billy / PERRY Martin (Great Britain)
MD18 – KATS Lev / MAI Ivan (Ukraine)
Women’s Doubles
WD5 – YOON Jiyu / SEO Su Yeon (South Korea)
WD10 – JAION Wijittra / SRINGAM Wassana (Thailand)
WD14 – HUANG Wenjuan / JIN Yucheng (China)
Mixed Doubles
XD4 – KIM Hyeon Uk / YOON Jiyu (South Korea)
XD7 – JAION Wijittra / GLINBANCHUEN Yuttajak (Thailand)
XD10 – DE OLIVEIRA Joyce / CARVALHAL Lucas (Brazil)
XD14 – NIKOLENKO Maksym / LYTOVCHENKO Maryna (Ukraine)
XD17 – ALEXANDRE Bruna / FONSECA Paulo Henrique (Brazil)
South Korea and Thailand won the most medals, with three each. Brazil and Ukraine each won two medals, while China and Great Britain won one each.