Africa’s rising table tennis stars made a powerful statement on the global stage at the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday, May 17.
Seventeen-year-old Tunisian sensation Wassim Essid delivered a thrilling performance in his opening Men’s Singles match against Spain’s Juan Perez.
In a nail-biting seven-game battle, Essid showcased remarkable composure and resilience to edge out a 4-3 victory.
Despite dropping the first game 5-11, the Tunisian national champion bounced back with grit and determination.
He traded games with his Spanish opponent in a tense back-and-forth encounter, eventually sealing the win with an 11-8 triumph in the decisive seventh game.
Essid’s tactical play, calm under pressure, and unwavering focus earned him a well-deserved spot in the second round.
In contrast, Egypt’s table tennis prodigy and Africa’s top-ranked female player, Hana Goda, made a commanding start to her campaign.
Facing Australia’s Jiamuwa Wu, Goda briefly stumbled in the first game, losing 10-12.
But the 17-year-old quickly recalibrated, taking control of the match with clinical precision. She stormed through the next four games—11-5, 11-6, 11-5, 11-8—to secure a dominant 4-1 victory.
With these impressive wins, both Essid and Goda have once again proven that Africa’s young talents are a force to be reckoned with on the world stage.
