The biggest table-tennis event of the year 2023 is set to begin this weekend in Durban, South Africa where top table tennis stars across the world are expected to compete for honours in five different categories
The 2023 World Table Tennis Championship finals, which is the 57th edition will be held at the Durban International Convention Centre from May 20 – May 28 and will showcase men’s and women’s singles, as well as men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles events. For eight days, 128 singles players and 64 doubles pairs will participate in a knockout competition, with the aim of being crowned the world champions in their respective categories.
It’s also the first time the tournament would be staged on the African continent since 1939
The draw for the tournament has been completed, unveiling the paths for the 128 players competing in the Men’s and Women’s singles, along with the 64 pairs in the doubles categories.
Dina Meshref, Africa’s top-ranked female player, represents the continent’s hopes as she will face Singaporean Zhou Jingyi, while 2023 African Cup champion Hana Goda will slug it out against Swiss Rachel Moret in their quest to go beyond the first round.
For the Men’s singles, world number three Ma Long and world number two Wang Chuqin could meet in the semi-finals, while there could be a rematch of the 2021 championships final between Fan Zhendong and Truls Möregårdh at the quarter-finals on the other half of the draw. Africa’s top player Nigerian Quadri Aruna may also have a rematch of the 2023 Singapore Smash round of 16 against Japanese sensation Harimoto Tomokazu in the quarter-finals.
Other top African stars expected to compete in Durban include the recent Africa Cup champion Omar Assar of Egypt, as well as Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw.
In the women’s singles, Nigeria will be represented by the duo of Fatimo Bello and Offiong Edem.
Discussion about this post