Paris 2024: Table Tennis Qualification Scenario

The 2024 World Table Tennis Championship is underway and the team table tennis quotas are allocated. Let us have a look at Indian team’s qualification scenario.

You can look at qualification system for Table Tennis here: https://thesportsgram.in/2022/08/08/road-to-paris-2024-table-tennis/

Women’s Team: There are 16 quotas available in team event. Out of these 16 quotas, 1 has gone to host nation France. 6 were allocated through continental qualifier and 5 have now gone through World Table Tennis Team Championships. This means 4 quotas are available through ranking.

Quotas allocated till now:

1. Host Nation: France
2. Oceania Qualifier: Australia
3. Asian Qualifier: China
4. European Qualifier: Germany
5. Pan American Qualifier: Brazil & USA
6. African Qualifier: Egypt
7. World Table Tennis Championship: South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong China, Japan & Romania

So the only way for India to get a quota is now through World Ranking. The final quotas will be allocated basis next week’s world ranking. Let us look at current ranking to see which countries are eligible for quota:

If we go by current ranking, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Portugal and Slovakia will take the ranking quotas. However, this is where things get interesting. Team rankings are based on top 3 singles ranking and ranking points achieved in team competitions (current World Table Tennis Championship will count)

For India to take quota place, teams above them have to lose ranking points.

1. Puerto Rico did not qualify for Round of 32. They will drop 700 points and will go below India.
2. Singapore lost in Round of 32. They will drop 900 points and will go below India.
3. Portugal lost in Round of 16. They will drop 400 points. But they will remain above India.
4. Slovakia got eliminated in group stage and will drop around 100 points. India will go above them in ranking.
5. Hungary lost in Round of 32. They will also drop 500 points. India will go above them as well.
6. Thailand went till Round of 16. They will gain 500 points and will go above India.
7. Poland went till Round of 16. They will gain 500 points and will go above India.

Given the situation in Women’s Singles ranking and drops in February, Indian ranking will not go down in Singles and other teams will not gain enough ranking points so as to surpass us.

Hence, as per our calculation, Portugal, Thailand, Poland and India will get ranking quota.

Men’s Team: There are 16 quotas available in team event. Out of these 16 quotas, 1 has gone to host nation France. 6 were allocated through continental qualifier and 6 have now gone through World Table Tennis Team Championships. This means 3 quotas are available through ranking.

Quotas allocated till now:

1. Host Nation: France
2. Oceania Qualifier: Australia
3. Asian Qualifier: China
4. European Qualifier: Sweden
5. Pan American Qualifier: Brazil & Canada
6. African Qualifier: Egypt
7. World Table Tennis Championship: Japan, South Korea, Portugal, Germany, Chinese Taipei, Denmark

So the only way for India to get a quota is now through World Ranking. The final quotas will be allocated basis next week’s world ranking. Let us look at current ranking to see which countries are eligible for quota:

If we go by current ranking, Hong Kong China, Slovenia and Croatia will take the ranking quotas. However, basis performance at World Table Tennis Championships, following changes will happen:

1. Hong Kong China lost in Round of 32 and will lose 1000 points. India will go above them.
2. Slovenia defended their team ranking points will stay same.
3. Croatia defended their team ranking points will stay same.
4. England lost in Round of 32 and will remain below us.
5. Belgium and Nigeria got eliminated in group stage and will remain below us.
6. Poland defended their points and will remain below us.

Given the scenario with Single rankings, Indian ranking will remain almost same.

Hence, as per our calculation, Slovenia, Croatia and India will get ranking quota.