At 11 years and 251 days, HANA GODA is already threading a path where her age-mates could not find their feet.
Known globally as ‘Egyptian Angel’ because of her talent which has continued to attract attention within and outside Egypt.
She is journalists’ delight with her radiant look and comportment on set. She had featured in major television programmes across Egypt and her face has adorned the pages of newspapers across the North African nation.
However, HANA GODA who is looking forward to mark her 12th birthday on December 12 this year, set a new record in EGYPT on September 25 to become the first youngster to emerge as national women champion in the absence of Egypt’s number one and highest ranked player in the world, DINA MESHREF.
With the disappointment of Round of 16 exit in the girls singles at the CROATIA JUNIOR OPEN still fresh in her memory, HANA GODA returned to EGYPT on September 23 and few hours later she was competing at the EGYPTIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP alongside some established senior players.
Not minding the calibre of players she would play against, the Egyptian Angel went to work, taking down most of her opponents after playing eight matches without losing any to berth in the semifinal of the tournament.
The tournament was held at the NASR CITY HALL in Cairo had players across EGYPT and HANA GODA zoomed into the final where she was drawn against the tournament’s number one seed and Egyptian number two – FARAH ABDEL-AZIZ.
On September 25, the youngster was coached by MAHMOUD HAMED in the final against FARAH ABDEL-AZIZ, who was a member of the gold medal team at the 2019 African Games.
HANA GODA was at her best and to the surprise of all, she humbled the experienced opponent at 3-0 (11-7, 11-6, 13-11) to become the first player in Egypt to emerge as NATIONAL CHAMPION at 11.
An elated Hana Goda described her win as one of the routes to achieve her dream of becoming the first Egyptian to win an Olympic medal in table tennis.
“I am very happy winning the title and this is just a tart of my dream of becoming the first Egyptian to win Olympic medal in table tennis. I am just working hard toward my dream. I am doing all my best to achieve my gold medal dream at the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France. It is a long journey but I must start well and this is just one of the ways to fulfill my dream,” she said.
HANA GODA admitted that the round of 16 exit at CROATIA OPEN fired her up to for the EGYPTIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP while her next target is to win medal at the WORLD CADET CHALLENGE in POLAND late this year.
The men’s event of the EGYPTIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP was won by MOHAMED SHOUMAN who defeated veteran AHMED SALEH in the final to emerge as champion.
