Egypt's national table tennis team made history at the 2026 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Championships, held in Tangier from October 18 to 25. The team won both team titles, all three doubles titles, and both singles titles, showcasing their dominance in the sport. The men's team, comprising Youssef Abdelaziz, Omar Assar, and Mohamed El-Beiali, defeated Algeria 3-2 in the final, while the women's team, consisting of Dina Meshref, Hana Goda, Mariam Al-Hodabi, Farida Badawi, and Hend Fathi, finished the tournament unbeaten.
The women's team secured their 10th consecutive continental team title, a streak that began at the 2012 championships in Cairo. They defeated Tunisia 3-0 in the final, demonstrating their strength and skill. According to Ashraf Abdel-Fattah, head of the Egyptian delegation, the sweep reflected the "depth, focus and world-class preparation" of the players. He emphasized that every nation aims to dethrone Egypt at the championship, but the team's performance proved their superiority.
The men's final was a closely contested match, with Algeria's Maheidine Bella beating Youssef Abdelaziz 3-2, handing Egypt its first loss of the tournament. However, Omar Assar responded with a 3-0 win over Stéphane Ouaiche, and Mohamed El-Beiali edged Sami Kherouf 3-2, putting Egypt ahead. The match ultimately came down to a deciding game between Assar and Bella, with Assar winning 17-15 to secure the title 3-2.
Egyptian players also excelled in the doubles titles, with El-Beiali and Abdel-Aziz winning the men's doubles, defeating Kherouf and Shahid Idowu of Congo 3-0. Mahmoud Helmi and Badr Mustafa took bronze in the men's doubles. Additionally, Abdel-Aziz and Al-Hodabi won the mixed doubles in an all-Egyptian final against Mustafa and Badawi.
The women's doubles title was won by Meshref and Goda, with Fathi and Badawi earning bronze. In the singles titles, Youssef Abdelaziz defeated fellow Egyptian Omar Assar 4-1 in the men's final, while Hana Goda beat Dina Meshref 4-1 in the women's final. The Egyptian team's impressive performance was a testament to their hard work and dedication.
According to Omar Assar, the deciding game in the men's final came down to "composure and trust in your training." He praised Algeria's Maheidine Bella, saying he played "the match of his life." Assar's victory marked a significant achievement for the Egyptian team, solidifying their position as a dominant force in African table tennis.
The Egyptian team's historic sweep of all seven gold medals at the 2026 ITTF Africa Championships demonstrates their exceptional skill and teamwork. With their impressive performance, they have set a high standard for future competitions. As the team continues to build on their success, they are likely to remain a force to be reckoned with in the world of table tennis.
Key points
- Egypt wins all seven gold medals at 2026 ITTF Africa Championships
- Egyptian team dominates men's and women's team events, doubles titles, and singles titles
- Egypt's women's team secures 10th consecutive continental team title
