Soraya Rahmani-Walentynska Shines on International Debut at WTT Youth Contender in Poland
On May 26, 2024, Soraya Rahmani-Walentynska, a young table tennis talent from the London Academy, made a remarkable debut on the international stage at the WTT Youth Contender tournament held in Wladyslawowo, Poland. The 13-year-old was one of nine players from the London Academy competing at the event, and she showcased her impressive skills in the Under-13 Girls’ Singles category.
Soraya won three of her four group matches, demonstrating her talent and potential. She then went on to defeat two more opponents, setting up a semi-final clash against the second seed, Aleksandra Nawrocka, from the host nation. Although Soraya’s run came to an end in the semi-finals, her performance was a testament to her growing abilities and the promising future she holds in the sport.
Alongside Soraya, other London Academy players also made their mark at the tournament. In the Under-13 Boys’ Singles, Zacharia Sarri and Serene Rahmani-Walentynska, Soraya’s sibling, both won a match in their respective campaigns, but were ultimately eliminated in the group stages.
In the Under-15 categories, Sienna Jetha reached the quarter-finals of the Mixed Doubles event, partnering with Noah Vitel of France. They were the fifth seeds and lost to the fourth seeds from Chinese Taipei, who went on to win the silver medals. Jetha also reached the last 16 of the Under-15 Girls’ Singles, where she was seeded fifth but lost to the 11th seed from Belgium.
Other notable performances from the London Academy players included Parsa Yamin reaching the last 32 of the Under-15 Boys’ Singles, while Shahuraj Nimse and Alisha Dutta advanced to the last 32 in the Mixed Doubles event.
“This international debut showcased the depth of talent within the London Academy, with young table tennis players like Soraya Rahmani-Walentynska leading the way and demonstrating their potential on the global stage. The experience gained at this tournament will undoubtedly serve as a valuable stepping stone for these promising athletes as they continue to develop and pursue their table tennis aspirations.”
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