African youngsters light up 2025 ITTF World Championships

Africa’s rising table tennis talents illuminated the global stage at the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, May 17.

Seventeen-year-old Tunisian prodigy Wassim Essid ignited the tournament with a captivating performance in his opening Men’s Singles clash against Spain’s Juan Perez. In a gripping seven-game thriller, Essid demonstrated remarkable composure and tenacity to clinch a hard-fought 4-3 victory.

Despite conceding the initial game 5-11, the Tunisian national champion rallied with unwavering determination. He engaged in a tense exchange of games with his Spanish adversary, ultimately securing his passage to the second round with an 11-8 triumph in the decisive seventh game, showcasing his tactical prowess and mental fortitude under pressure.

In a display of dominance, Egypt’s phenomenal table tennis star and Africa’s top-ranked female player, Hana Goda, made a commanding start to her campaign.

Facing Australia’s Jiamuwa Wu, the 17-year-old encountered a minor setback in the first game, narrowly losing 10-12. However, Goda swiftly regained control, dictating the match with clinical precision. She stormed through the subsequent four games—11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8—securing a decisive 4-1 victory.

These impressive victories by Essid and Goda serve as a resounding testament to the burgeoning talent pool in African table tennis, firmly establishing Africa’s young stars as formidable contenders on the international scene.