Matthew Britz
Historic First as New Zealand Qualifies for ITTF World Para Championships
New Zealand Para table tennis will make history in November 2026 with Matthew Britz and Tim Johnson becoming the first New Zealand athletes to compete at the ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships.
Tim Johnson
The pair have qualified for the 2026 Championships, to be held in Pattaya, Thailand, from 13 to 19 November, and will be accompanied by coach John Tuki. Their selection marks a significant milestone for the sport in New Zealand and reflects years of dedication, training, and international competition.
Britz has qualified for the Men's Singles Class 7 event, while Johnson will compete in Men's Singles Class 2.
The ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships are held every four years and are regarded as one of the sport's premier events. The 2026 edition will be particularly significant as it coincides with the ITTF's centenary celebrations and will be the first World Championships to achieve full gender equality, with 167 male and 167 female athletes competing.
For Matthew Britz, qualification is both a proud personal achievement and an opportunity to showcase New Zealand Para table tennis on the world stage.
"I'm super proud and stoked to compete at the 2026 Para World Championships. I can't wait to compete in another one of the biggest tournaments in the world with my teammate Tim Johnson and coach John Tuki. I'm really honoured to put New Zealand in the spotlight at the World Championships for the first time ever."
Left to right: Tim Johnson, Matthew Brtiz and Coach John Tuki
While this will be Tim Johnson's first World Para Table Tennis Championships, he is no stranger to the world stage. Johnson has previously represented New Zealand at World Championships in wheelchair rugby and brings a wealth of international experience to the team. His qualification is the result of several years of dedication to Para table tennis and marks another significant chapter in his sporting journey.
"I'm delighted that the efforts of the past four to five years have resulted in qualification for what will be my fifth World Championship and my first in Para table tennis. It is a great honour to represent New Zealand on the world stage, and I am incredibly grateful for the support of my friends, family, teammates, and coaches who have helped me reach this milestone. Qualifying for the World Championships is a proud achievement and a great opportunity to compete against the best players in the world."
Coach John Tuki will lead the team in Pattaya, providing support and guidance as the athletes prepare to compete against the world's best Para table tennis players.
The Championships will feature 334 athletes competing across 37 medal events in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles competitions. Events will include wheelchair classes (1 to 5), standing classes (6 to 10), and intellectual impairment class 11.
The qualification of Britz and Johnson represents a landmark moment for Para table tennis in New Zealand and highlights the continued growth of Para sport.
Table Tennis New Zealand congratulates Matthew, Tim, and coach John Tuki on this historic achievement and wishes them every success as they prepare to represent New Zealand at the ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships in Pattaya.