Tribune News Network
Doha
The opener of 2025 World Table Tennis season - the WTT Star Contender Doha will get underway at the Lusail Sports Arena from Monday, the second consecutive year of Qatar being the starting point for the WTT Series with the world’s best paddlers in action.
Among the world’s top-ranked players to be seen in action in the men’s singles are Japan’s World No. 3 Tomokazu Harimoto, also a former champion in the Doha event (2021), Germany’s Dang Qiu (World No. 9) and his compatriot Patrick Franziska (World No.10).
Among the mix is also Slovenia’s world No.11 Darko Jorgic, who secured his maiden WTT Series singles win in Lima last year.
In the women’s singles, Japan’s World No.5 Hina Hayata returns after a magnificent performance in Doha last year. She would be aiming to secure her eighth WTT Series title. World No 6 Miwa Harimoto, and No. 7 Satsuki Odo, also from Japan, will able be in action at Lusail. It would also mean that ten of world’s top 20 ranked players will provide for top class women’s singles action.
Among those representing Qatar are – Muhammad Abdul Wahab, Abdullah Abdul Wahab, Ahmed Eid Qarni, Rawad Al Nasser, Abdulaziz Al Abbad, Issa Al Haddad, and Youssef Abdul Zaher, along with three women players – Aya Magdy, Maryam Ali, and Serena Sheikh.
Tournament’s Deputy Director Ahmed Khalil Al Mohannadi expressed delight in Qatar hosting the season opener. “We are very happy to kick off 2025’s international table tennis competitions here in Qatar.
“This year promises excitement, rivalry, and strong performances,” he said.
“We always look forward to hosting the championship at the highest level. Thank God, the Qatar Table Tennis Federation has the experience needed to ensure this edition is as well-organized as the previous ones. I am pleased that we have a professional team where everyone knows their tasks well,” Al Mohannadi added.
He also emphasized the importance of the tournament as a rehearsal for the upcoming ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals Doha 2025 which will be held from May 17-25, highlighting Qatar’s expertise in hosting top notch sport events.
This year’s WTT Star Contender Doha brings together 180 male and female players from over 42 countries, competing for a share of a prize pool of $275,000.
The tournament includes five categories: men’s and women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
The qualifiers take place on Monday and Tuesday, followed by the main draw from January 8-11.
