Santiago, Chile –
Before the 2023 Parapan American Games officially began, Vancouver’s Stephanie Chan had already secured a spot in the semifinals of the table tennis competition.
Chan, 66, defeated 17-year-old Kristel Morales of Costa Rica in comeback style 11-4, 9-11, 10-12, 11-6, 11-6 on Friday.
“I’m really happy about the win,” said Chan, who is competing in the Parapan Am Games for the fifth time. “It’s been four years since I took part in a major competition. I put pressure on myself because every time I play against Parapan Am I have won a medal. So I told myself I have to win, win, win.
Chan already owns five Parapan Am medals, including a women’s singles gold medal from Toronto 2015. She also carried the Canadian flag at the 2019 Opening Ceremony in Lima, where she won bronze.
Before the Lima Games, Chan lost her mother and her husband died in 2022. She is currently battling her own heart problem, which will require surgery after the Games.
“Because my health isn’t great, I’m becoming more nervous, which is unusual for me because I’m (usually) more relaxed,” she said.
Chan joked about the age difference between her and her opponent.
“I saw Kristel play at a tournament in Costa Rica last year and she has improved tremendously. She’s young enough to be my granddaughter,” she said.
On Friday, Chan finished the preliminary round in the S6-7 combination class in women’s singles with one win and one loss, securing second place in her pool.
In the semifinals on Saturday she will face Giselle Munoz from Argentina.
The Parapan Am Games were officially scheduled to begin Friday evening with the opening ceremony.
In Canada, a total of 135 athletes will take part in the Games, competing in 14 different sports.
The games last until November 26th.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 17, 2023.
“Coffeeaholic. Lifelong alcohol fanatic. Typical travel expert. Prone to fits of apathy. Internet trailblazer.”