Three years ago Ian Seidenfeld entered the Tokyo Games stressed, insecure and unsure if he belonged at the Paralympics.

PARIS — Ian Seidenfeld remembers the feeling of winning his gold medal in the Class 6 men’s singles in Tokyo.

He entered the Tokyo Games stressed, insecure and unsure if he belonged at the Paralympics. He didn’t know what to do or how to react. Those uneasy feelings were gone once he reached the top of his sport. Getting to celebrate with his family after earning a gold medal was “euphoric” for Seidenfeld.

It is a feeling he is chasing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

“It’s a long time since I’ve won the gold medal, so I definitely want to feel that again to be able to win,” Seidenfeld said on Tuesday. “So basically everything I’ve done before doesn’t really matter much.”

Seidenfeld, a native of Lakeville, Minnesota, and alum of Minnesota-Twin Cities will have the opportunity to earn another gold medal when para table tennis play begins in Paris with doubles play.

2024 Paris Olympics: Follow USA TODAY’s coverage of the biggest names and stories of the Games.

Seidenfeld’s approach to training for Paris has been a little unconventional. He’s prioritized having fun and said that part of the equation has been not taking himself too seriously.

“Having fun is being able to smile a lot, laugh a lot, and be able to admire my great shots as well as other people’s great shots,” Seidenfeld said. “Knowing that we’re all getting better and that’s really a lot of fun to improve and see that improvement with my training partners and myself.”