Hana Gouda (Photo: Al-Ahram)
Despite being only 12-years-old, Hana Gouda booked her seat in the 2020 sports hall of fame after she topped the U-15 tennis table world ranking.
The Ahly junior talent arose to the lights this year after defeating arch-rivals Zamalek’s contender 27-year-old Farah Abdel-Aziz, who was second in the African ranking to claim the Egyptian senior title, in addition to gaining four gold medals in the African competition.
She was honored by the sports Minister Ashraf Sobhi and the Head of the Olympic Committee in Egypt Hesham Hatab for her achievements, calling her the 2020 Wonder Girl.
“It is a great honor to be chosen as one of the best athletes in Egypt," Gouda told Sky News after the ceremony. "The awards give me great motivation to continue and insist on always excelling, and the value of this honour in particular cannot be expressed from my over joyness,” she added.
The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) praised Gouda describing her as writing new lines in the history of sport.
“In order to achieve my dreams, I under go six hour training daily, under the supervision of a foreign coach and others Egyptian, as well as special exercises for fitness, there is great cooperation between everyone to continue clinching titles,” said Gouda.
“I hope to maintain my progress in the world rankings, and to complete my career in the best possible way. I have limitless ambitions as long as I play my beloved sport,” the 12-year-old champion concluded.
Gouda has been selected in the Egyptian National team that was set to compete in the 2020 World tennis table Championship. The tournament has been postponed to February 2021 and she hopes she can accomplish her dream of competing among the seniors, qualify to the 2024 Olympics and claim a medal.
Short link: