At the 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships, held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall in Lagos, female athletes stole the spotlight, showcasing elite athleticism, tactical brilliance, and continental pride. Egypt, in particular, reaffirmed its legacy in women’s table tennis, with Mariam Younes delivering a golden farewell performance that echoed across Africa.
Out of the ten titles contested across age categories and doubles events, female players accounted for five gold medals — with Egypt and Algeria emerging as dominant forces on the podium.
Younes: Queen of the Continent Bows Out with Double Gold
In her final appearance at the youth level, Egypt’s Mariam Younes sealed her legacy by defending her U-19 girls’ singles title, defeating compatriot Habiba Elbasoumy in a confident 4–1 performance. Poised and powerful, Younes displayed elite tactical control and mental resilience throughout the tournament.
She then partnered with Badr Mostafa in the U-19 mixed doubles, capturing a second gold medal with a commanding straight-sets victory over Egypt’s Nour Zaki and Yassin Gaber — a symbolic handover from veterans to future contenders.
Algerians Redefine U-15 Dominance
Algeria’s Tania and Jade Morice emerged as the tournament’s breakout stars in the U-15 category, securing double podium glory for their nation.
- The duo claimed the U-15 girls’ doubles gold, defeating Egypt’s Farida Thabet and Hanin Elewa in a decisive 3–0 win.
- In a symbolic final, Tania Morice bested her sister Jade 3–0 in the U-15 girls’ singles final, demonstrating elite technical skills and composure rarely seen at such a young age.
Their performance highlights Algeria’s growing investment in female youth development and offers a clear challenge to Egypt’s continental supremacy in the years ahead.
Egyptian Women Sweep Doubles and Youth Medals
Egypt’s women dominated across age groups:
- Mariam Younes & Badr Mostafa: Gold in U-19 mixed doubles
- Malak Abdelshakour & Nour Zaki: Gold in U-19 girls’ doubles
- Farida Thabet & Hanin Elewa: Silver in U-15 girls’ doubles
- Habiba Elbasoumy: Silver in U-19 girls’ singles
In addition to Younes, players like Zaki, Abdelshakour, and Elbasoumy demonstrated depth and bench strength in Egypt’s women’s team.
Women’s Rivalries Take Center Stage Across Africa
The 2025 championships didn’t just crown new winners—they strengthened intercontinental rivalries:
- Egypt vs Algeria: Dominated the medal table in U-15 and U-19 categories
- Tunisia’s Ela Saidi teamed with Amir Essid to win the U-15 mixed doubles, marking Tunisia’s only gold medal
- Uganda’s Jemimah Nakawala and Judith Nangonzi reached the U-19 girls’ doubles final, a historic moment for East African women in table tennis
The 2025 ITTF Africa Youth Championships in Lagos were more than just a contest of talent — they were a testament to the transformative power of women in sport. With the participation of Egypt’s seasoned champions like Mariam Younes, who exits the youth circuit as a continental icon, young Egyptian women are not only participating — they excel.
