MISSISSAUGA, ON – The 2025 Canadian Para Championships, held on September 27th and 28th at My Table Tennis Club in Mississauga, concluded as a landmark event, showcasing good response from the para community and 5 provinces: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and British Columbia, a breakthrough performance from a young star, and a commitment to inclusivity across multiple unique activities.
Champions Crowned: A Historic Youth Victory
The main event delivered intense competition across sitting (Classes 1-5) and standing (Classes 6-11) categories in both singles and doubles.
Final Standing Singles:
| 1. | Muhammad Mudassar | ON |
| 2. | Mohsin Watto | ON |
| 3. | Robert Cloutier | ON |
| 4. | Asad Murtaza | ON |
| 5. | Peter Isherwood | BC |
| 6. | Aldric Vincent | QC |
| 7. | Mohammed Samara | ON |
Final Standing Doubles
| 1. | M. Mudassar / Mohsin Watto | ON |
| 2. | Robert Cloutier / Peter Isherwood | ON / BC |
| 3. | Asad Murtaza / Aldric Vincent | ON / QC |
Sitting Events (Classes 1-5)
In a show of provincial dominance, all singles podium spots went to Ontario athletes. Muhammad Mudassar (ON) successfully defended his throne, but the path to the final of silver medalist was marked by stunning upsets. Mohsin Watto (ON) delivered two major surprises, first taking down Peter Isherwood (BC) in Group A, and then defeating Robert Cloutier (ON) in the semi-final.
The tremendous success of Mudassar (1st), Watto (2nd), and Robert Cloutier (3rd) highlighted the coaching work of Abhinay Vaddi from BATT Athletics club, who coached both finalists and semi-finalist Asad Murtaza (4th).
Standing Events (Classes 6-11)
The standing competition was a testament to national breadth, with all four semi-finalists representing different provinces (SK, MB, ON, and QC). The tournament’s standout story was the crowning of 14-year-old Thulir Hector (SK) as the new Canadian Standing Champion. Thulir, the sole female competitor in the field, proved to be the strongest, dethroning last year’s champion, Pablo Catalan (MB), in a dramatic final where all four games went down to the wire. SiBin Fan (ON) and Gabriel Seguin (QC) also made it to the podium, with Fan losing a heart-breaking five-game semi-final to Catalan.
Final Standing Singles (WS+MS):
| 1. | Thulir Hector | SK |
| 2. | Pablo Catalan | MB |
| 3. | Sibin Fan | ON |
| 4. | Gabriel Seguin | QC |
| 5. | Samuel Morissette | MB |
| 6. | Loik Lapointe | QC |
| 7. | Xiaoyang Zhu | ON |
| 8. | Kim Aidaba | MB |
| 9. | Jacob Boulay | QC |
| 10. | Brandon Razor Ong | ON |
| 11. | You Lu | SK |
| 12. | Terence Carlon Stewart | ON |
Final Standing Doubles
| 1. | Pablo Catalan / Samuel Morissette | MB |
| 2. | Thulir Hector / Gabriel Seguin | SK / QC |
| 3. | Sibin Fan / Xiaoyang Zhu | ON |
| 4. | Jacob Boulay / Loik Lapointe | QC |
An exciting addition to the national landscape was young Jacob Boulay (QC). Still a U15 male player, the Class 9 athlete demonstrated excellent potential and an eagerness to learn and work hard, marking him as a talent to watch for future championships.
Coaching Success and National Representation
A highly encouraging sign for the future of Canadian Para Table Tennis was the record number of coaches attending the event, representing provinces from coast to coast.
The impact of strong coaching was evident in the results:
- Jean-Philippe Langlais (Quebec) has developed young talent – Jacob Boulay, and Keven Lachaine is behind Aldric Vincet’s significantly improving performance.
- Arvin Tronco (Manitoba) led his three players to an excellent medal haul, securing a Gold in Standing Doubles and seeing Samuel Morissette achieve a strong 5th place in Singles.
- Arun Kumar (Saskatchewan) was instrumental in the breakthrough victory of Thulir Hector, demonstrating both excellent preparation and focused coaching during the dramatic final game.
- Khen Ng (British Columbia) is already well-known for his ongoing work with Peter Isherwood, the only Canadian player currently ranked in the Top 4 of the America ITTF Para ranking list.
- Abhinay Vaddi (Ontario) was recognized for coaching the sitting champion and medalists, alongside Sibin Fan (Ontario), who balanced coaching duties with his own bronze-medal performance.
A Weekend of Unprecedented Activities
Beyond the championships, the two-day event featured several high-impact initiatives that emphasized development and inclusion:
Para and Friends Mixed Competition
On Sunday, the atmosphere shifted to fun and community as para athletes teamed up with friends, coaches, and family members from the Toronto region for the “Para and Friends”. Eleven non-para players joined the event, playing through six groups for an additional 4-5 matches each, making for a lively and memorable conclusion to the weekend. Full results are available on the TTCAN Tournament Software page.
Inaugural Competition for Athletes with Dementia
In a truly groundbreaking move, TTCAN organized its first-ever sanctioned competition for athletes living with dementia. This event was successfully executed in collaboration with OTTA and the Yee Hong club. Dr. Gabriel Chan and May Tong led 12 athletes who were enthusiastically supported by a large group of friends and family, demonstrating the therapeutic and community power of table tennis.
International Classifier Seminar and Camp
The commitment to professional development was high, with multiple activities dedicated to officials and elite athletes:
- National Classifier Seminar: The ITTF sent expert Dr. Jen Gruenhagen (USA) to conduct a rigorous five-day course at My TTC Mississauga. The seminar concluded with an exam on Sunday, certifying new experts who can provide national classification. Dr. Gabriel Chan (ON) earned status as a medical and technical classifier, while Khen Ng (BC), Abhinay Vaddi (ON), May Tong (ON), Dejan Papic (ON), Arvin Tronco (MB), and Arun Kumar (SK) all earned status as technical classifiers.
- Classification: Seven para athletes received classification from the newly trained officials under the supervision of Dr. Gruenhagen prior to the championships.
- National Training Camp: Immediately following the championships, a training camp led by Raymond Zhang was held to prepare the Canadian delegation for the upcoming Pan American Para Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil (starting October 9th). The team representing Canada will include Peter Isherwood (Class 2), Gabriel Seguin (Class 6), and Thulir Hector (Class 9). Coach – Khen Ng.
The entire event, encompassing the competition, development seminars, and inclusive programming, was organized under the dedicated supervision of Betty Zareba, TTCAN Para Committee Chair, and Dejan Papic, HP Consultant. The official competition team, led by National Referee Rosa Zhang, managed the complex schedule flawlessly.
The official team, led by National Referee Rosa Zhang, managed the complex schedule flawlessly. The organization extends a special thanks to Dr. Gabriel Chan, May Tong, Asad Murtaza, and Sibin Fan, whose crucial efforts were key to the success of the event in bringing so many athletes together.