Thu Kamkasomphou

Started: She took up table tennis at age 12 in France. She joined the French national Para table tennis team in 1999. (koimagazine.fr, 21 Nov 2022; Classes Sportives Oise Facebook page, 04 Feb 2021) Reason: She liked the competition and strategy aspects of the sport. After her diagnosis she wanted to continue playing so she took up Para table tennis. (Classes Sportives Oise Facebook page, 04 Feb 2021; sans-filtre.fr, 14 Jun 2018) Ambition: To make her seventh Paralympic appearance at the 2024 Games in Paris. (francebleu.fr, 25 Feb 2024) Milestones: She became the first athlete representing France to win 10 medals in table tennis at the Paralympic Games when she claimed bronze in the women's class 6-8 team event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. (SportsDeskOnline, 06 Mar 2024) Awards: She has received the titles of Knight of the Legion of Honour, Commander of the National Order of Merit, and Officer of the National Order of Merit in France. (bleushandisport.com, 09 Sep 2023) Additional Info: LAO PEOPLE'S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC TO FRANCE Born in Lao People's Democratic Republic, she moved with her family to Rennes, France, at age 10. "I feel French. I did my schooling here, I eat French, I speak French, I owe everything to this country that helped me when I arrived with my parents. I am also happy to be able to benefit from social security. So when I am on the top step of the podium and 'La Marseillaise' sounds, I sing it with immense happiness. Just talking about it gives me chills. A huge thank you to all those people who helped me directly or indirectly to become who I am." (koimagazine.fr, 21 Nov 2022; Classes Sportives Oise Facebook page, 04 Feb 2021; sans-filtre.fr, 14 Jun 2018) OCCUPATION She works as a communications manager for a French postal service company. (Facebook profile, 18 Feb 2024; bleushandisport.com, 09 Sep 2023; lapostegroupe.com, 07 Apr 2022)