Top Athletes Advance To Semi-Finals as Cairo Witnesses an Electric Start to the 2025 Virtus Table Tennis Championships

/in , /by

The Table Tennis Centre at the Cairo Stadium roared with excitement and fierce determination on the opening day of the 2025 Virtus World Table Tennis Championships. The atmosphere was electric — paddles clashing, cheers echoing, and every rally pushing athletes one step closer to glory.

Singles Matches

In the Men’s II1 category, after intense round-robin battles, Chen Po-Yen (CTP), Leung Chung Yan (HKG), Laptev Konstantin (NVA), and Wan Wai Lok (HKG) emerged as the semi-finalists. Tomorrow, Chen Po-Yen will face Leung Chung Yan in what promises to be a thrilling showdown, while Laptev Konstantin will take on Wan Wai Lok for a coveted place in the finals.

In the Women’s II1 division, Acer Ebru (TUR) will meet Galkina Maria (NVA), and Prokofeva Elena (NVA) will battle Wong Ting Ting (HKG) — all aiming to edge closer to the championship crown.

The II2 category remains wide open, with both men’s and women’s round-robin matches continuing tomorrow. Players with the highest points in their groups will advance to the semi-finals. Among the men, Delhom Pierre (FRA) will clash with Clastres Theo (FRA), while Burc Enes (TUR) will take on Sallier Thomas (FRA) in a fight for the final berth.

Doubles Matches

In Women’s Doubles II1, the crowd witnessed two breathtaking semi-finals.

  • Neutral Virtus Athletes — Elena Prokofeva and Galkina Maria — triumphed over Hong Kong’s Wong Ting Ting and Wong Pui Kei in a nail-biting 3–2 victory (11-9, 6-11, 11-9, 8-11, 3-11).

  • Chinese Taipei’s Li Jing-Shiuan and Li Lydia Yi-Ya outlasted Neutral Virtus Athletes Kosacheva Anzhelika and Minaeva Viktoriia 3–2 (11-8, 5-11, 11-13, 11-2, 11-4).

The Women’s Doubles Final is now set — Chinese Taipei vs. Neutral Virtus Athletes, a clash destined to thrill.

In the Men’s II1 Doubles, Wan Wai Lok and Yuen King Shing (HKG) will take on Chinese Taipei’s Chen Po-Yen and Ahamada Abdouraza, while two Neutral Virtus teams — Gayfullin Kemal with Yuen King Shing, and Laptev Konstantin with Kudriavtsev Alexev — battle for a spot in the finals.

In the Men’s II2 Doubles, the French duo Sibout Alexandre and Cedric Courrillaud claimed victory over Italy’s Ghilandi Marco, marking a strong start for France. In another match, Gouyard Aymeric and Asaro Francesco (FRA) defeated Soldado Gonçalves Joao and Jeanpierre Octave (FRA) to secure their place in the semi-finals.

Meanwhile, in the Women’s Doubles, teams from France (Hennion Carole & Frison Camille; Poquet Lucile & Delalande Celine), Egypt (Hany Mariam & Hussein Rahma), and Italy (Abate Anna & Ingrao Jessica) all powered their way into the semi-finals.

As the first day came to a close, the spirit of competition burned bright in Cairo — a powerful reminder that this championship is not just about medals, but about heart, determination, and the unifying power of sport. The battle continues tomorrow, and the best is yet to come.

Full results can be accessed from the competition website.