Paralympic Table Tennis Star Caroline Tabib Returns to Global Stage After Motherhood

Paralympic table tennis player Caroline Tabib is preparing for the World Championships in Thailand, just two months after giving birth to her first child, Air. For the 30-year-old athlete, the journey to the tournament was uniquely challenging: an unexpected pregnancy, a separation from her partner mid-term, and navigating life as a single mother using a wheelchair.

Despite the hurdles, Tabib maintained her training routine through the eighth month of pregnancy and returned to coach Idan Levi's hall just three weeks postpartum. Tabib has not competed internationally since last November, a period that marked a significant turning point after discovering she was pregnant. Reflecting on the impact, she noted a drop in her world ranking from second to 27th, yet she secured a coveted invitation to the quadrennial World Championships based on her strong prior season.

Overcoming Personal and Athletic Hurdles

Tabib, who competed in the Rio and Tokyo Paralympic Games and narrowly missed qualifying for Paris 2024, faced intense emotional and physical demands. When her relationship ended during pregnancy, she managed the entire transition alone, moving from Florentin to northern Tel Aviv to provide a better environment for raising a child. She credits her athletic background for keeping her focused, noting that sports taught her to execute tasks regardless of external circumstances.

Throughout the pregnancy, Tabib received crucial support from the Paralympic Committee and her club, Sport Club Spivak Ramat Gan, who prioritized her well-being over strict training quotas. Though she experienced typical pregnancy symptoms and had to forgo international travel for safety, she never considered abandoning her career.

Balancing Motherhood and Elite Sport

Born with a condition affecting her lower limbs, Tabib navigated childbirth with determination, experiencing a swift physical recovery that allowed her to return to the table tennis table weeks later. Managing a wheelchair alongside caring for an infant presents daily complexities, from walks using one hand on the wheel to arranging home visits for healthcare, but she emphasizes that Air will lack nothing.

Now traveling to Thailand with her daughter, Tabib approaches competition with newfound perspective and maturity. While table tennis was once her entire world, motherhood has enriched her outlook, adding powerful motivation as she looks ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic campaign with Air by her side.