The draw for the highly anticipated ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 took place on Thursday, 18 May, marking a historic moment as the event returns to African soil for the first time in 84 years.
The stage is set for an extraordinary tournament, showcasing the best table tennis talents from around the globe, and cementing the growth of the sport in Africa.
The draw, held at the Coastlands Musgrave Hotel, unveiled the paths that 128 players in Men’s and Women’s singles, along with 64 pairs in each of the doubles categories, will navigate in their pursuit of glory. The straight knockout format also promises exciting match ups from the opening day on 20 May till 28 May.
Attempting to do their nation proud are South Africans Danisha Patel and Musfiqah Kalam, who could face each other in the round of 64 if they beat Japanese sensation Miyu Nagasaki and Puerto Rico’s Melanie Diaz respectively.
Dina Meshref (EGY), Africa’s top ranked female player, represents the continent’s hopes as she prepares to go up against Singaporean Zhou Jingyi, while 2023 African Cup champion Hana Goda (EGY) will face Swiss Rachel Moret.
Pairs competing in the Women’s Doubles event were also drawn, visit WTT’s website here to see them.
Photo 1 Caption: Team South Africa pictured at the official ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals 2023 draw on Thursday, 18 May. Photo: SA Table Tennis Board (Instagram)
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