Biography
Started: He took up the sport in 1992 in Spain. (Athlete, 15 Oct 2015)
Reason: He followed his father into table tennis, and found he was good at it. (fundacionandaluciaolimpica.org, 28 Oct 2020; alvarovaleratt.com, 11 Sep 2020)
Ambition: To win gold at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Instagram profile, 13 Sep 2022)
Milestones: He became the first table tennis player representing Spain to win gold at the Paralympic Games by claiming victory in the men's singles class 8 at the 2000 Games in Sydney. (SportsDeskOnline, 27 Feb 2024; Facebook page, 18 Feb 2021; alvarovaleratt.com, 11 Sep 2020)
Awards: He and judo athlete Marta Arce were named as flag bearers for Spain for the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralimpicos.es, 24 Jun 2024)
He was named Male Para Star at the 2014 International Table Tennis Federation [ITTF] Star Awards. (ittf.com, 12 Dec 2018)
In 2013 he received the Silver Medal of the Royal Order of Sports Merit in Spain. (rfetm.es, 06 Aug 2013)
Additional Info: OTHER ACTIVITIES
He runs Sagasta Suites, a luxury rental apartments business based in Madrid, Spain. (Instagram profile, 19 Jan 2024; sagastasuites.com, 15 Mar 2021)
Sporting Relatives: His father competed in table tennis, including at the Madrid championships in Spain. (fundacionandaluciaolimpica.org, 28 Oct 2020)
Frequently Asked Questions
Personal Details
GenderMale
Birth DateOctober 16, 1982
Place of ResidenceSANT CUGAT DEL VALLES
OccupationAthlete, Business Owner, Motivational Speaker
EducationTourism - Spanish Centre for New Professions [CENP], Madrid, ESP
Languages SpokenEnglish, Portuguese, Spanish
Highlights
| Rank | Event | Year | Location | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralympic Games | ||||
| 1 | Singles - Class 8 | 2000 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | |
| 2 | Singles - Class 6 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | |
| 2 | Singles - Class 6 | 2012 | London, GBR | |
| 2 | Men's Team Class 6-8 | 2012 | London, GBR | |
| 3 | Men's Team Class 6-7 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | |
| 3 | Singles - Class 7 | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 5 | Men's Team Class 6-8 | 2016 | Rio de Janeiro, BRA | |
| 5 | Men's Team Class 6-8 | 2008 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 5 | Men's Team Class 8 | 2004 | Athens, GRE | |
| 5 | Men's Team Class 8 | 2000 | Sydney, NSW, AUS | |
| 9 | Singles - Class 8 | 2004 | Athens, GRE | |
| 11 | Singles - Class 6 | 2020 | Tokyo, JPN | |
| World Championships | ||||
| 1 | Men's Team Class 6 | 2017 | Bratislava, SVK | |
| 1 | Singles - Class 6 | 2014 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 1 | Men's Team Class 6-7 | 2014 | Beijing, CHN | |
| 1 | Men's Team Class 6-7 | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| 1 | Singles - Class 8 | 1998 | Paris, FRA | |
| 2 | Singles - Class 6 | 2018 | Lasko, SLO | |
| 2 | Men's Team Class 7 | 2006 | Montreux, SUI | |
| 3 | Doubles Class 14 M | 2022 | Granada, ESP | |
| 3 | Singles - Class 7 | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| 9 | Singles - Class 6 | 2022 | Granada, ESP | |
| 9 | Singles - Class 7 | 2006 | Montreux, SUI | |
| 33 | Men's Open Standing | 2010 | Gwangju, KOR | |
| European Championships | ||||
| 3 | Singles - Class 6 | 2023 | Sheffield, GBR | |
| 5 | Doubles MD14 M | 2023 | Sheffield, GBR | |
