Here are four rising youngsters (female) set to shine at the 2024 ITTF-Africa Championships this October in Addis Ababa. These athletes have consistently proven themselves in their regions, demonstrating steady growth that has earned them a well-deserved spot to compete in Ethiopia.
Judith Nangonzi (Uganda)
Judith Nangonzi has steadily built her profile over the past three years, becoming a key figure in Ugandan table tennis. Her breakthrough came at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she proudly represented her country. Since then, Nangonzi has continued to make strides in her game.
Not only has she shown personal growth, but her role as an ambassador for Uganda is evident. She played a significant part in helping the Ugandan women’s team secure the top spot at the Eastern Regional Championship held in Uganda last June. while in the singles, Nangonzi won a silver medal following a 4-1 final loss to Madagascar’s Raharimanana Hanitra in the same tournament.
Competing in senior tournaments has been challenging, but Nangonzi has secured notable finishes, including a round-of-16 spot at the African Cup and a second-round run in the Olympic qualifiers this year. As the last competition of the year, these achievements point to Nangonzi’s unrelenting efforts and better success in no distant future that can begin if she brings her A-game to Addis Ababa.
Joanita Borteye (Ghana)
Joanita Borteye has made headlines over the past year with her exceptional accomplishments, rapidly transitioning from a newcomer in Accra to a rising sensation in West Africa and on the continental stage.
As the 2023 Table Tennis Player of the Year in Ghana, Joanita has represented her nation in all major competitions this year, contributing significantly to a team in transition. At just 14 years old, she’s had the opportunity to compete in the African Games, West African Regionals, the Africa Cup, Olympic qualifiers, and the Africa Youth Championships, gaining valuable experience from these events.
Not content with merely participating, Joanita recorded a historic quarter-final finish at the Africa Cup in Rwanda. She followed this up with podium finishes at the Hopes Tournament and earned a bronze medal in the Girls’ U15 category at the Africa Youth Championships in Botswana.
Joanita’s path to greatness is clearly in motion, and she’s embracing each competition that comes her way.
Rochica Sonday (South Africa)
Rochica Sonday is a rising star to keep a close eye on. Though not entirely new to the spotlight, her consistency locally and in continental youth competitions has helped her develop into a standout player from Southern Africa. She rightly earned a spot on the highly dominant South African team, which has long been a powerhouse in their region.
Recently, Sonday delivered an exceptional performance at the Africa Youth Championships in Botswana, where she secured a podium finish in the girls’ U19 category, whilst defeating higher-ranked players along the way. Sonday’s hard work came to the fore when she alongside Lodewyk Cuten came within a set of reaching the podium in the mixed doubles but was halted by the eventual winners, Egypt. Sonday’s hard work also contributed to the South African women’s team claiming a bronze medal at the same tournament in June.
With many young talents emerging from Southern Africa, Sonday indeed stands out, making her a player to watch closely at the upcoming ITTF-Africa Championships.
Hope Udoaka (Nigeria)
Reigning West African University and Regional Champion Hope Udoaka is on an impressive trajectory towards achieving her dream of competing at the highest level for Nigeria, following in the footsteps of 5-time Olympian Edem Offiong who hails from her home state of Cross River. in Nigeria.
Despite financial constraints preventing her from participating in many events including the African Youth Championships, Udoaka has managed to maintain her status as one of the fastest-rising stars in Nigerian and West African women’s table tennis.
Earlier in the year, Udoaka made her debut at the African Games in Ghana, where she contributed to Nigeria winning a silver medal in the women’s Team event. The student of Benson Idahosa University so far has been able to juggle table tennis and her education, exiling at both parts of her life as evident when she defeated fellow Nigerian Ajoke Ojomu in the final to claim her maiden West African Championship women’s singles crown in Togo and a West African University title three weeks apart.
The 2024 African Championships hint at signs of stiff competition that will be on display as the blend of new talents and experience promises lots of exciting moments and history.
ITTF Africa