Global Games medals for table tennis star

After days of almost-wins for Alfie Linn, the young table tennis star has claimed both of New Zealand’s medals from the Virtus Global Games 2023 in France.

It’s been a whirlwind of an end to the competition for Alfie as he partnered with France’s Alexandre Sol to seize bronze in the Men’s Doubles before teaming up again in to earn silver in the team's event,  being honored as the country's flag bearer for the closing ceremony.

A thrilled Alfie says, “I’m so proud representing the New Zealand team. I feel happy in my heart and making Nelson proud.”

Alfie is 21 years old and plays for the Nelson Table Tennis Club. He also has down syndrome and competes nationally and internationally in the II2 group.

Playing in his second Virtus Global Games, he is the only table tennis player in the New Zealand delegation.

During the week’s competition, Alfie has come tantalizingly close to medaling multiple times.

In Men’s Singles, he just missed out on competing for a medal, losing 14-12 in the fifth set, having equalised to two sets apiece after being down 2-0.

In the Mixed Doubles he partnered with a player from the Czech Republic. They tied in the quarter finals, just missing out on reaching the semi-finals through countback.

The athletes played 5 back-to-back matches in scorching 35-degree heat, making the fine margins even tougher than usual.

After finally claiming New Zealand’s first medal, Alfie got a hero’s welcome from his Kiwi teammates at their hotel. Most of the athletes were in their pyjamas, having stayed up to see him before they went to bed.

Alfie is joined at the Virtus games by fellow Nelson athlete, swimmer Finn Russ, who made a final in the 200m freestyle II3, to finish 8th and narrowly missing the 50m free final, finishing 9th.