African Stars Target Strong Start At WTT US Smash In Las Vegas

African Stars Target Strong Start At WTT US Smash In Las Vegas

By BSN Sports 

African table tennis players will be aiming to make a strong impression at the 2025 WTT US Smash, with Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali leading the continent’s campaign in the preliminary round of the prestigious tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 11-day competition, scheduled for July 3 to 13 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, marks the first-ever WTT Grand Smash event to be staged in the United States. The tournament features a prize purse of $1.55 million and is expected to attract many of the world’s top-ranked players.

Olajide Omotayo, the 2019 African Games champion, faces a difficult opening fixture against American wildcard Victor Xie on Friday, July 4. Currently ranked 162nd in the world, the Nigerian will look to utilise his experience and superior ranking against the Chinese-born American, who is ranked 777th globally.

Now based between the United States and France, Omotayo faces a demanding route to the main draw, where several of the sport’s elite players are already waiting.

Also representing Africa in the men’s singles preliminary round is Mohamed El-Beiali, who will take on Slovenia’s Deni Kozul. Fellow Egyptian Mahmoud Helmy is set to face American Ved Sheth, while Algeria’s Mehdi Bouloussa will battle Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson.

Benin Republic’s Abdel-Kader Salifou completes the African men’s singles contingent with a clash against Spain’s Juan Perez.

In the women’s singles category, Egypt’s Yosura Helmy is the only African player competing in the preliminary round and will face American Mandy Yu.

Meanwhile, some of Africa’s biggest names have already secured direct qualification to the main draw. Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar will compete in the men’s singles main draw, while Egypt’s Hana Goda, Dina Meshref and Mariam Alhodaby will begin directly in the women’s singles competition.

Anticipation is also growing among the sport’s international stars ahead of the tournament.

Men’s singles world champion Wang Chuqin expressed excitement about competing in Las Vegas, describing the city as a global destination for major sporting events.

Sweden’s Anton Kallberg said he was eager to experience the atmosphere and energy associated with the city, while American player Lily Zhang highlighted Las Vegas’ reputation for hosting major international events.

Home favourite Kanak Jha also praised the city’s vibrant environment, noting its unique blend of entertainment and sporting culture.

As the WTT US Smash 2025 gets underway, African players will be hoping to advance beyond the preliminary stages and compete alongside the world’s best in one of table tennis’ most prestigious tournaments.