At only 13 years old, Hana Goda became the first Egyptian and African player ever to win a World Tennis Table Youth Series championship and come top in the under-15 tennis table world ranking.
Goda is the reigning national tennis table singles champion for which she won a gold medal in the Portugal International Championship (Under-15s) in September by defeating Russia’s Zlata Terekhova 3-0 in the final.
The fast-rising talented Egyptian won all her six matches in the tournament.
“I took up tennis table when I was four and I loved it since the first time I held a paddle,” Goda told the Egyptian Mail, the weekly edition of The Egyptian Gazette.
“I played handball, did gymnastics and tried swimming. Then, I played table tennis which I adored,” she added.
She was so short that her coaches, who saw the talent in her, had to lower the table for her.
Goda soared in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings in August from 653rd to 407th. Also, in the under-19 girls singles, she moved to third from 10th.
Adel Shoman, director of the girls’ tennis table team at Al Ahly club, said: “Hana is highly talented and she exerts every effort to reach higher levels. Indeed, she is very energetic as she trains daily with no rest.”
Al-Ahly’s junior dazzled the nation after she defeated Africa’s No.2 Farah Abdel Aziz, 27, in the women’s singles final of the national championship.
“I always relish playing with older players because I enjoy the hard matches, which help me gain more experience and confidence,” the young champion said.
Goda’s mother, Dr Radwa Aazab, told this newspaper: “Coaches always support her. They constantly remind her that she could be an Olympic champion.”
Goda’s first international appearance was at the age of seven in the Swedish Open in 2015. She lost most of her matches. However, she gained experience in the international championships. Easing the pressure on her, coaches urged her not to be afraid of anything, just play freely as if they are not expecting a medal for that contest.
“I train three times a day, a couple of hours each. I have only one day off.” Goda said.
She added that even during the coronavirus pandemic, she kept training to maintain her performance level.
“Goda’s school stood by her in making a balance between training and her studies,” Goda’s mom added.
The young champion is preparing herself for the ITTF World Youth Championship in Portugal in December, and the World Tennis Table Youth Championship in Poland on October 22-23.
“Of course, the Olympics are my big dream. I hope I can win the first Olympic gold medal for Egypt in table tennis.
“My sister is following my example and she has recently started playing. I imagine ourselves playing in the World Championship final or doubles at the Olympics,” Goda said.
President of the Egyptian Federation of Table Tennis Moataz Ashour described Goda as a “miracle” and hope for the sport in Egypt and Africa.
He added that the ITTF always invites Goda to various international championships, although she competes in ten local and international championships on a monthly basis.
