Historic! Black Loopers Qualify for Centennial World Table Tennis Championships in London
Ghana’s women’s national table tennis team, the Black Loopers
ACCRA, Ghana — Ghana’s women’s national table tennis team, the Black Loopers, have made history by qualifying for the 2026 ITTF World Team Table Tennis Championships in London, marking a triumphant return to the global stage after several years of absence.
The qualification came after a thrilling 3–2 victory over Angola at the ongoing ITTF-Africa Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, which also served as the continental qualifier for London 2026.
Despite suffering an earlier loss to African powerhouse Egypt, the Ghanaian team displayed exceptional resilience, teamwork, and fighting spirit to bounce back and secure one of Africa’s coveted tickets to the centennial edition of the World Championships.
In their decisive match against Angola, Ghana staged a stunning comeback after trailing by two games. Cynthia Kwabi opened the tie but narrowly lost 2–3 to Ruth Tavares, while Eva Adom-Amankwah fell 1–3 to Albino Isabel, putting Ghana under early pressure.
Momentum shifted when Joanita Borteye delivered a commanding 3–0 victory over Sousa Kailane, sparking a remarkable turnaround. Kwabi then returned with renewed determination, sweeping Albino Isabel 3–0 to level the match at 2–2. In a tense final encounter, Eva Adom-Amankwah held her nerve to defeat Ruth Tavares 3–2, sealing a dramatic win and Ghana’s historic qualification.
With this victory, Ghana secured second place in their group and earned a continental qualification slot for the London 2026 tournament.
GTTA President Mawuko Afadzinu, who attended the ITTF-Africa Annual General Meeting in Tunis, lauded the team’s achievement, describing it as “a proud moment for Ghanaian table tennis and women in sports.”
“This qualification reflects years of hard work, discipline, and belief. It’s a defining moment for the Black Loopers and for the future of table tennis in Ghana,” Afadzinu said.
The Black Loopers’ qualification coincides with the 100th anniversary of the ITTF World Championships, adding symbolic weight to Ghana’s long-awaited return to the world stage a milestone that celebrates both perseverance and national pride.
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