Tahl Leibovitz (born June 1, 1975)[1] is an American para table tennis player who has played in five Paralympic Games. His highest ranking is world no.2 in class 9 in July 2008 and is now currently ranked world no.3 in that class and world no.17 in men's standing classes. [2]

Tahl Leibovitz
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1975-06-01) June 1, 1975 (age 48)
New York City, New York, U.S.
Home townOzone Park, New York, U.S.
Height5 ft 4 in (162 cm)
Sport
Country United States
SportPara table tennis
DisabilityOsteochondroma
Disability classC7, C9
ClubSouth Queens Boys and Girls Club (1995-)
Coached byChris Lehman
Ahmed El-Malah
Mitchell Seidenfeld
Medal record
Para table tennis
Representing  United States
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Men's singles C7
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta Men's teams C6-8
Bronze medal – third place 2004 Athens Men's singles C7
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1998 Paris Men's teams C10
Parapan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Men's singles C8
Gold medal – first place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Open singles standing
Gold medal – first place 2007 Rio de Janeiro Men's teams C8
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Men's singles C9
Gold medal – first place 2015 Toronto Men's singles C9
Gold medal – first place 2019 Lima Men's singles C9
Silver medal – second place 2011 Guadalajara Men's teams C9-10
Silver medal – second place 2015 Toronto Men's teams C9-10
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Lima Men's teams C9-10

Biography edit

Leibovitz was born in New York City to parents who struggled with substance abuse and mental illness. He was kicked out of his home and lived on the streets. [3]

He graduated in New York University and now works in New York City as a social worker. [4]

Sporting career edit

He first competed in his first Paralympic Games in Atlanta in 1996 where he won his first gold medal. He hopes to qualify for his sixth Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.

References edit

  1. ^ "Athens 2004 Paralympic Games - Table Tennis - Official Results Book". ipc-services.org. International Paralympic Committee. September 19, 2004.
  2. ^ "Tahl Leibovitz". IPTTC.org. ITTF Para Table Tennis. August 10, 2018.
  3. ^ "Once homeless, Tahl Leibovitz embraces new career while training for Rio". www.paralympic.org. March 4, 2016.
  4. ^ "Tahl Leibovitz". www.teamusa.org. August 10, 2018. Archived from the original on October 15, 2014.

External links edit