Sam Altshuler beats world No.3 Simion Bobi to win ITTF Para Challenger Spokane men's Class 6 title

Sam Altshuler produced the most memorable milestone of his career when he beat world No.3 Simion Bobi in the men’s Class 6 final at the ITTF Para Challenger Spokane. The American won 3-1 with set scores of 12-10, 4-11, 13-11 and 12-10 to take his first gold medal at a Challenger event on the ITTF World Para Circuit. After the match, Altshuler said: “It was a tough match in final, and it was great to get it done.” The result gives him 300 points toward his international para world rankings and moves him up to No.6, just outside the top five. The timing is crucial because ITTF Para Elite Spokane starts on August 11, 2026. Altshuler admitted he never expected to reach this level two years ago. He thanked his supporters and especially his parents for helping him throughout his table tennis journey. The key to the win was composure in the tight moments. Bobi controlled the second set, winning 11-4, but Altshuler answered with a patient tactical approach. He avoided risky shots early in rallies, kept the ball deep and forced Bobi into long exchanges before attacking. Three of the four sets were decided by two points, showing how narrow the margin was. Following the Spokane Challenger, Altshuler will play at ITTF Para Elite Spokane before traveling to Yvelines, France, in September 2026. His biggest target is the ITTF Para World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, from November 13 to 19, 2026. The win over Bobi is not just an upset. It proves that the gap between the top-ranked para table tennis players and those chasing them is narrowing. Altshuler’s climb to No.6 is an important step, but the real test is whether he can repeat this performance against a deeper field at the next events.