The 2025 African Table Tennis Championships concluded in spectacular fashion in Tunis, Tunisia on October 15, with Egyptian stars Omar Assar and Hana Goda writing their names into the record books with historic performances.
In a thrilling all-Egyptian men's singles final, 33-year-old Omar Assar demonstrated why he remains the continent's most decorated player, staging a dramatic comeback to defeat compatriot Youssef Abdelaziz and claim an unprecedented fifth African singles title. The match started disastrously for Assar, as the younger Abdelaziz dominated the opening exchanges, taking the first two games 11-4 and 11-7. However, the veteran showed his championship mettle, clawing back to win the third game 11-6 and ultimately completing a remarkable turnaround to seal the victory. With this triumph, Assar has now become the first player in history to win five singles titles at the African Championships, surpassing all previous records and cementing his legacy as the greatest African table tennis player of his generation.
The women's singles final was equally significant, though far less competitive. Seventeen-year-old Hana Goda delivered a commanding performance against Dina Meshref, cruising to a 4-0 straight-sets victory that secured her third consecutive African title. The teenage prodigy has now made history as the first female player to achieve a three-peat at the championships, confirming her status as the continent's brightest rising star and future torch-bearer for African table tennis on the world stage.
Egypt's dominance at the championships extended well beyond the singles events. The North African nation completed a clean sweep of all doubles titles, showcasing the depth and quality of their table tennis program. In the mixed doubles final, defending champions Youssef Abdelaziz and Mariam Alhodaby successfully retained their crown with a straight-sets victory over fellow Egyptians Mostafa Badr and Marwa Alhodaby, winning 11-4, 11-7, 11-9.
The women's doubles saw an intriguing partnership between finalists-turned-teammates Dina Meshref and Hana Goda. The newly formed duo proved formidable, defeating the Alhodaby twins Mariam and Marwa in a closely contested 3-1 match, with scores of 11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 11-4, to claim their first title together.
The championships, held from October 12-19, reinforced Egypt's position as the powerhouse of African table tennis. Their complete dominance across all categories sends a strong message ahead of future international competitions and demonstrates the strength of their development programs. For Assar and Goda, these victories represent not just personal milestones but inspiration for the next generation of African players aspiring to compete on the global stage.
Table Tennis
Egyptian Dominance: Assar Makes History with Fifth African Title as Goda Secures Three-Peat in Tunis
📅 Published on October 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
