Inspirational table tennis star Melissa Tapper has realised her Olympic dream, qualifying for this year's Rio Games.
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The 26-year-old Hamilton-export clinched a spot in the Australian table tennis team with an ITTF Oceania Olympic Qualification Tournament win against Fijian Grace Yee at Bendigo's Ulumbarra Theatre on Friday.
Tapper becomes the first Australian athlete to compete at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Born with nerve damage in her right arm, Tapper competed at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Tapper said being part of the Australian team was a dream come true.
"I just love the sport, it's great fun for anyone, all ages and all abilities," she said.
"It's done amazing things for myself, and taught me so much and enabled me to trave, what isn't there to like about it."
News of Tapper's Olympic qualification was quick to reach her home town of Hamilton.
Hamilton Table Tennis Association vice-president Annette Moore said the club and town was absolutely over the moon for the girl they refer to as 'Milly'.
"We've been following the whole Olympic thing through the last 12 months, through all her travel overseas and the competitions," she said.
Tapper reserved praise for the people of Hamilton.
“Everyone has been just absolutely amazing through the whole journey,” Tapper said. “My whole career, from a youngster through to now, they’ve supported me.”
