Ghayouri closes out school series with three trebles
Table tennis
St Paul’s College table tennis sensation Kamrouz Ghayouri (14) has once again impressed by clinching a treble at the Arysteq and Simonis Schools Tournament Series last weekend.The sixth and final round in the series was held at Wanderers Sports Hall in the capital and saw a turnout of 62 participants, comprising 38 boys and 24 girls from various schools, competing for top honours.
Ghayouri’s three gold medals in the round came from the boys’ U19, U17 and U15 age categories. While he has consistently competed above his age group throughout the series, this marked the third time he has swept all three categories.
He first achieved the triple-gold feat in the third round in May and in the fifth round last month.
Stronger competition
Players are allowed to compete across a maximum of three age categories in the series for stronger competition and ranking opportunities against older players.
The idea behind this, according to series coordinator Theo Beukes, is to promote the game. He confirmed it has proved to have had a huge impact, elevating the series and its competitiveness.
Ghayouri won gold in the boys’ U19 section ahead of schoolmates Agape Chicalu, who clinched silver, and Jason Kadandara, who secured bronze. The second bronze medal went to Deutsche Höhere Privatschule Windhoek’s (DHPS) Caden Bosman.
In the boys’ U17 category, he bested Bosman, who settled for silver, ahead of bronze medallists Chicalu and DHPS’ Pascal Eysselein.
The boys’ U15 category saw Chicalu tally his second silver medal alongside bronze medallists Kadandara and Olof Palme Primary School’s Fillemon Ikanda.
Not stopping to smell the roses
Reflecting on the victory, Ghayouri was all smiles: “It feels really good because my training paid off. Seeing the results of my hard work and dedication is very rewarding.”
Asked how he plans to celebrate his achievements in the off-season, the youngster admitted he will not be breaking stride to smell the roses just yet, as he is gearing up for the African Youth Games.
“There won’t be much celebrating. My main focus is on preparing for this very important event in Angola from 10 to 20 December this year, as preparation for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games in Senegal,” he said.
‘Favourite player’
Ghayouri’s biggest inspiration and role model in the sport is 2024 Olympic gold medallist Fan Zhendong (28) of China, a moment that proved to be of immense inspiration for the budding table tennis prodigy.
“He is my favourite table tennis player. He has the best technique and has really inspired my game,” he said.
Zhendong is widely regarded as one of the best of his generation. He joined the Chinese national team in 2012 at the age of 15, becoming its youngest member at the time. He also became the youngest ever men’s team world champion at the World Team Table Tennis Championships in 2014.
When he is not scooping medals from the table tennis court, Ghayouri enjoys playing piano and watching anime.
Boys’ U13 and U11 winners
The boys’ U13 and U11 categories also witnessed outstanding performances.
U13: 1 Fillemon Ikanda (Olof Palme), 2 Natanael Dayelai (Olof Palme), 3 Daniel Beukes (Orban PS), 3 Immanuel Hangula (Olof Palme).
U11: 1 Terence Kadandara (St Paul’s), 2 Kilian Beukes (St Joseph’s), 3 James Bampton (Elim PS), 3 Tangi Haufiku (Olof Palme).
Girls winners
The girls’ section was equally competitive.
U19: 1 Cadence Farmer (St Paul’s), 2 Lian Gebauer (DHPS), 3 Karolina Shigwedha (Ella du Plessis), 3 Justina Namupolo (Hage Geingob HS).
U17: 1 Lian Gebauer, 2 Cadence Farmer, 3 Karolina Shigwedha, 3 Justina Namupolo.
U15: 1 Karolina Shigwedha, 2 Justina Namupolo, 3 Cadence Farmer, 3 Ester Shatika (Immanuel Shifidi).
U13: 1 Esther Nelenge (Olof Palme), 2 Sylvi Ikanda (Hillside PS), 3 Hertha Pondjamba (Olof Palme), 3 Wilhelmina Shivute (Olof Palme).
U11: 1 Esther Nelenge, 2 Wilhelmina Shivute, 3 Sylvi Ikanda, 3 Sabina Shanika (Monte Christo PS).
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