The men's table tennis team of Jang Youngjin (left) and Park Sungjoo on Aug. 29 play Rob Davies and Thomas Matthews of the U.K. at South Paris Arena in the quarterfinals of the Paris Summer Paralympics. (Korea Paralympic Committee)

By Margareth Theresia

Korea has secured two bronze medals on the first day of the Paris Summer Paralympics.

Two men's table tennis teams on Aug. 29 each advanced to the semifinals of the doubles competition (sports class MD4) at South Paris Arena.

The Paralympics awards a bronze to every competitor who advances to the semifinals regardless of the third-place playoff, so both duos will go home with a medal.

The first seed of Jang Youngjin and Park Sungjoo defeated their British counterparts Rob Davies and Thomas Matthews, 3-0 (11-5, 11-6, 11-4). The second duo of Cha Soo Yong and Park Jin Cheol also beat in straight sets Federico Crosara and Federico Falco of Italy, 3-0 (13-11, 11-4, 11-8).

If both Korean teams win their semifinal matches on Aug. 30, they will face each other for the gold on Aug. 31

The Paralympics can be watched on the competition's official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@paralympics).

margareth@korea.kr