Doha, Qatar – Racha Loghraibi of Qatar emerged victorious in the Under-11 girls’ division at the WTT Youth Contender Table Tennis Championship Doha 2026, which concluded at the Lusail Arena on January 23rd. The tournament showcased promising young talent from across the globe, with several Qatari players achieving notable podium finishes. This event is part of the larger Qatar International Combined Series, a significant fixture in the youth table tennis calendar.
The competition, running throughout January, features a total prize pool of $500,000 and aims to foster the development of future table tennis stars. Loghraibi’s win highlights Qatar’s growing strength in the sport, while the series as a whole provides valuable international exposure for local athletes. The WTT (World Table Tennis) Youth Contender series is designed to give young players opportunities to gain experience and improve their rankings.
Qatar Shines at WTT Youth Contender Table Tennis Championship
Loghraibi’s path to the U-11 girls’ title wasn’t without challenge. She secured a 3-2 victory over Egypt’s Zeina Farouk in a closely contested final. The match saw Loghraibi take the first game 11-5, before Farouk responded with an 11-6 win in the second.
Loghraibi then regained control, winning the third game 11-6. However, Farouk demonstrated resilience, forcing a deciding game with an 11-9 victory in the fourth. Ultimately, Loghraibi prevailed, closing out the match 11-7 to claim the championship title.
Beyond her U-11 triumph, Loghraibi also demonstrated her skill in the U-13 girls’ category, finishing as the runner-up after a loss to Egypt’s Malak Zaki. Her teammate, Alia Al-Baz, added to the Qatari success by securing third place in the same event.
Strong Performances from Al Annabi Players
The Qatari national team, known as Al Annabi, delivered several strong performances throughout the tournament. Rabia Al-Kuwari achieved a third-place finish in the U-13 boys’ event, falling short in the semi-final against Uganda’s Joseph Sibatendara.
In the U-11 boys’ category, Ahmed Al-Abdullah also secured a bronze medal, losing his semi-final match to Sri Lanka’s Taavi Samarweera, who would later win the title by defeating Saudi Arabia’s Rayan Al-Manjoumi. Abdulaziz Al-Abdullah continued the trend, earning third place in the U-15 boys’ category after a semi-final defeat to Malaysia’s Lee Yong Rin.
International competition was also fierce, with India’s Syndrela Daz winning the U-19 girls’ title, defeating compatriot Divyanshi Bhowmick 3-1. Lee Yong Rin of Malaysia added another title to his name, winning the U-15 boys’ championship with a 3-0 victory over India’s Aditya Daze. These results demonstrate the increasing global competitiveness in youth table tennis.
The awards ceremony was presided over by Qatar Table Tennis Association President Hamad Ahmed Al Hammadi, accompanied by board members Mohammed Hassan Al Rumaihi and Abdullah Bader Al Sada. The officials recognized the achievements of all the participating athletes and emphasized the importance of continued investment in youth sports development.
The WTT Youth Contender Doha 2026 is the third tournament in the Qatar International Combined Series. The series continues with the Star Contender Youth tournament, scheduled to begin today and run through Sunday. The final event, the WTT Feeder Doha 2026, will take place from January 27th to 31st.
Looking ahead, the success of Qatari players at the Youth Contender suggests a promising future for the nation’s table tennis program. The remaining tournaments in the series will provide further opportunities for athletes to refine their skills and gain valuable experience. The performance of emerging talents will be closely watched as Qatar prepares for future international competitions, including potential participation in the Olympic Games.
