By Vivian Ahanmisi

In a stunning upset, Egypt’s Mostafa Badr dethroned Tunisia’s Essid Wassim in the U-19 singles final on Sunday at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the tournament is ongoing at Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

Badr’s strong performance displayed his skill and focus, leaving defending champion Wassim struggling to match the pace and intensity of the game.

The 19-year-old right-hander, ranked 259 in the world, delivered a dominant display that propelled him into the spotlight of the championship.

Badr, who uses a shakehand grip and attacking style, defeated Wassim 4-1 (11-8, 6-11, 11-9, 11-6, 12-9).

Wassim’s defeat signals the emergence of a new contender, reshaping the competitive landscape of the U-19 category.

In the girls’ U-19 final, Egypt’s Younes Mariam beat compatriot Habibat Elbasoumy to retain her title with a 4-1 win (11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7).

Top-seeded Younes remains unbeaten throughout the championship, showcasing dominance and consistency on the African youth table tennis scene.

She plays right-handed, using an attacking style and a shakehand grip, which has proven highly effective in the tournament.

Speaking to NAN, African Table Tennis Federation President, Wahid Oshodi, praised the high-quality performance of players at the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships.

“I’m thrilled by the talent and dedication shown by our young athletes,” Oshodi said, commending the tournament’s competitive spirit.

He noted that players from several nations performed impressively, proving Africa’s rich pool of table tennis talent.

“The future of African table tennis looks very bright. I believe our players will continue to shine on the global stage,” he added.

His remarks underscore the continent’s growing strength in the sport and rising global recognition of its young stars. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo