(By Coach Jeff Yamada)
Just two days after the ITTF World Para Elite concluded, we returned to the same venue for the most important event of the trip: the ITTF Pan American Para Championships, held once every four years. This tournament is the gateway to the 2026 World Para Championships in Thailand, with gold medalists earning direct qualification.
We arrived with the same group of athletes plus one additional top‑seeded player who joined specifically for this event. For everyone else, this was day six of competition if you counted the Elite event. Managing energy, recovery, and mental reset became just as important as tactics.
Carrying Momentum and Letting Go of the Past
For the two athletes who reached the finals at the Elite event but finished with silver, there was no time to change anything technically. Instead, the focus was on:
- Reinforcing what they did well
- Letting go of frustration
- Resetting mentally
- Starting fresh for the event that truly mattered
They embraced this mindset beautifully, and it paid off.
Taking Over Scheduling and Planning
For this event, the coach responsible for scheduling practices, arranging practice partners, and coordinating shuttle times was no longer present. That responsibility shifted to another coach and myself.
This was a major learning experience. We had to consider:
- Shuttle schedules and São Paulo traffic
- Match times and athlete energy levels
- Who needed early practice vs. late practice
- Which practice partners were best for each athlete
- Prioritizing players with the highest medal potential
- Balancing warm‑up needs with recovery time
It was a crash course in logistics, planning, and decision‑making under pressure and it made me a better coach.
Coaching Multiple Matches at Once
With two coaches and seven athletes, simultaneous matches were inevitable.
The key was to prioritize:
- Athletes in medal‑critical matches
- Matches where coaching could significantly influence the outcome
- Players facing difficult opponents
When coaching two matches at once, I learned to:
- Memorize a few key points from each rally
- Ask athletes questions if I missed details
- Help them reflect and build their own game plan
- Offer encouragement and clarity
- Communicate beforehand so they understood the situation
Our athletes were understanding, focused, and adaptable which made all the difference.
Results: A Championship to Remember
Across four intense days with early mornings, late nights, and nonstop matches and practices, our team delivered an outstanding performance:
- 3 Gold Medals in Singles (all qualified for Thailand 2026)
- 1 Gold in Doubles
- 2 Bronze Medals in Singles
- 1 Bronze in Doubles
- 7 medals total with 7 players
Even more impressive:
Two athletes who earned silver at the Elite Tour came back stronger and won gold at the Pan American Championships. They didn’t carry negativity from their losses. They brought the good, adjusted what needed improvement, and stepped into the new event with confidence and clarity.
Conclusion: A Campaign Defined by Growth and Resilience
This tournament demanded everything: physical endurance, emotional control, strategic planning, and teamwork. Our athletes showed tremendous fighting spirit, and our staff worked tirelessly to support them. The results speak for themselves, but the lessons behind them are even more valuable.
We learned how to plan under pressure, how to communicate effectively, how to prioritize coaching moments, and how to help athletes reset mentally between major events. Most importantly, we learned that success comes from embracing challenges, adapting quickly, and believing in the work you’ve done.
Congratulations to every athlete, coach, staff member, and supporter who made this campaign unforgettable.
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