Paralympic table tennis champion Laurens Devos is pursuing a rigorous dual-career path, aiming to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Games alongside his continued dominance in the Paralympic circuit. Despite holding six European titles, two world titles, and three consecutive Paralympic gold medals since 2016, Devos is currently training to bridge the gap between para-sports and the Olympic field, a journey he describes as a quest to avoid the regret of never having tried.
Why is a Paralympic champion shifting focus to the Olympics?
For Laurens Devos, the motivation is rooted in a desire to transcend the boundaries often placed on athletes with disabilities. Born with oxygen deprivation and hemiplegia—resulting in spastic muscles and reduced strength on his right side—Devos has spent his life competing in both the para and able-bodied circuits. According to Devos, his goal is to show that athletes do not need to remain within their own “bubble.” By aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games, he hopes to challenge perceptions about where athletes with physical impairments belong in the world of elite sports.
Laurens Devos’s determination is a trait his brother and coach, Robin Devos, remembers from childhood. When doctors told a young Laurens he would never be able to ride a bike on two wheels, he spent an entire day falling off 30 times until he finally succeeded.
How does the training dynamic work with family coaching?
Since 2024, the professional relationship between the brothers has shifted, with Robin Devos serving as Laurens’s coach. While the pair describes the partnership as a “perfect match,” they acknowledge the unique challenges of having a sibling as a mentor. Laurens notes that because there is “no filter” between them, they are more inclined to speak their minds, which occasionally leads to friction during training sessions. Despite these clashes, they remain united in the singular objective of qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games.
What are the technical hurdles for Olympic qualification?
The path to the Olympics requires a significant leap in international rankings. Currently, Laurens Devos holds the number 185 spot in the world rankings and is the fourth-ranked player in Belgium. To qualify for the Olympics, he must climb into the top 80 globally and secure a position as one of the top two Belgian players. Devos acknowledges that his chances are statistically small given his physical constraints, but he remains committed to the process, stating, “I want to show that you can have big dreams and set high goals to get out of bed motivated every day.”
Pro Tip: Balancing dual circuits
Devos attributes his ongoing development to his lifelong habit of playing in both the able-bodied and para-sport circuits. This dual-track approach serves as a practical demonstration that an athlete’s impairment does not preclude them from competing at the highest level of the traditional sport.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurens Devos retiring from the Paralympics?
No. Devos continues to be a dominant force in the Paralympic circuit, having won three consecutive gold medals. His current focus is on expanding his reach by simultaneously competing in the Olympic circuit.
What is the primary physical challenge for Devos in table tennis?
Devos lives with the effects of oxygen deprivation at birth, which resulted in hemiplegia. This leaves him with spastic muscles and significantly less strength on his right side compared to his left.
Who is coaching Laurens Devos?
His brother, Robin Devos, has been coaching him for the past two years. Robin, who previously competed for the national team, also serves as a primary inspiration for Laurens’s career trajectory.
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