The draw for the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Durban 2023 took place yesterday 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.
For the Men’s singles there could an early rematch of the 2021 final as defending champion FAN Zhendong of China and Truls MOREGARD of Sweden were seeded in the same side of the draw. Continental hopes for Africa will rest on top players Quadri Aruna (NGR) and Omar Assad (EGY).
Best ranked European player in Women’s singles Sofia POLCANOVA of Austria could meet Europe’s no. 2 HAN Ying of Germany in the Round of 16.
Full draw you can see here
