2026 WTT Contender Lagos serves off

●Stars to watch

Pius Ayinor

The stage is set for another thrilling spectacle as the 2026 World Table Tennis (WTT) Contender Lagos begins on Tuesday, May 19, at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

Some of the stars who dazzled at the recently concluded World Team Table Tennis Championships in London will converge in Lagos, Nigeria’s bustling commercial hub, to battle for honours in the $100,000 prize money tournament. This event is one of 10 WTT Contenders worldwide and the second to be staged in Africa after Tunis.

MEN

ANDERS LIND | 27 | DENMARK

A creative left-hander and 13-time Danish champion, Lind is famous for his “strawberry” flick shot that produces heavy side-spin. Quarterfinalist at the 2023 World Championships, he has reached the world’s top 20 and represents Borussia Dortmund in Germany. Winner of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos and runner-up at Contender Tunis.

THIBAULT PORET | 21 | FRANCE

Rising French star, ranked No. 26 globally. Climbed from outside the top 150 to world No. 23 in just two years. European U21 Doubles Champion (2023) and consistent podium finisher at WTT events.

OH JUNSUNG | 19 | KOREA REPUBLIC

A promising U19 talent, Junsung is quickly making his mark internationally and is seen as a future star of Korean table tennis.

MANAV THAKKAR | 26 | INDIA

India’s highest-ranked men’s singles player (No. 33). Former U-18 and U-21 world No. 1, Olympian at Paris 2024, and the first Indian to reach a WTT Star Contender semifinal. Known for speed and aggressive play.

MANUSH SHAH | 25 | INDIA

Former junior top-10 player from Vadodara, now transitioning successfully to the senior circuit with a growing international presence.

JOÃO GERALDO | 30 | PORTUGAL

Aggressive, high-rotation attacker and former Portugal national champion. Bronze medalist at the 2015 European Championships, winner of multiple WTT titles, and a key contributor to Portugal’s World Cup bronze finish.

LIM JONG-HOON | 27 | KOREA REPUBLIC

Elite left-hander, currently world No. 54 in singles. Renowned doubles specialist, reached world No. 1 in mixed doubles (Feb 2026) with Shin Yu-bin. Former world No. 11 in singles, bronze medalist in mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

LÉO DE NODREST | 23 | FRANCE

Dynamic left-handed attacker, active on the WTT circuit and Bundesliga. Notable wins over Wong Chun Ting and An Jaehyun. Semifinalist at 2025 WTT Contender Lagos, losing narrowly to eventual champion Anders Lind.

JOÉ SEYFRIED | 27 | FRANCE

French table tennis player competing in World Table Tennis (WTT) events for the national team. At 1.91 meters, he won the Men’s Singles title at the WTT Feeder Senec in Slovakia in April 2026, confirming his place among France’s top talents.

LILIAN BARDET | 25 | FRANCE

French table tennis player for SPO Rouen and the national team. Former World No. 41, 2024 World Team silver medalist. Rose to prominence at the 2025 US Smash by defeating World No. 5 Liang Jingkun. Competed on the WTT Champions Tour with a final in Cagliari and a semi-final in Havirov.

MATTHEW KUTI | 15 | NIGERIA

Teen prodigy, regarded as the heir to Quadri Aruna. Africa’s Most Improved Male Player (2025) and Nigeria’s No. 2-ranked player. Defended his Men’s Singles title at the ITTF-Africa West Africa Regional Championships (2024, 2025), reclaimed the Nigerian national championship in 2024, and broke into the world’s top 200 (career-high No. 179). Known for his unpredictable shakehand attacking style, Kuti grew up in Lagos, inspired by his father, a table tennis coach.

OLAJIDE OMOTAYO | 30 | NIGERIA

Double Olympian and celebrated “Prince of Nigerian table tennis.” Winner of Men’s Singles gold at the 2019 African Games in Rabat, defeating Segun Toriola and Quadri Aruna. Represented Nigeria at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, with career highlights including silver at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and multiple African Championship titles, including team and doubles gold in 2024.

WOMEN

Satsuki Odo | 21 | Japan

Former World Junior Champion and rising star. Known for her aggressive, high-speed style and powerful backhand. Winner of WTT Champions Montpellier 2024, with victories over elite opponents like Wang Manyu.

Honoka Hashimoto | 27 | Japan

Premier modern defender, combining pips defense with strong counterattacks. Former world No. 10, 2019 Worlds doubles bronze medalist, and defending WTT Contender Lagos champion.

Joo Cheonhui | 24 | Korea Republic

Right-handed attacker, ranked No. 17. Semifinalist at WTT Champions Montpellier 2025 and finalist at Muscat Star Contender. Notable wins over top players, including Mima Ito.

Hitomi Sato | 28 | Japan

Renowned defender, 2019 Worlds doubles bronze medalist. Known for her chopping style and consistency at WTT events.

Elizabeta Samara | 37 | Romania

Decorated European champion and four-time Olympian. European Women’s Singles Champion (2015), consistently ranked among the world’s top 50.

Dina Meshref | 32 | Egypt

Africa’s most accomplished female player, a four-time Olympian, and a multiple-time African champion. Career-high world No. 21, also named Forbes Middle East 30 U-30.

Manika Batra | 30 | India

India’s leading player, famous for her long-pimple backhand style. 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medalist, first Indian woman to reach Olympic round of 16 and WTT Grand Smash quarterfinals.

Saki Shibata | 28 | Japan

Aggressive attacker, former world No. 13. Rose to prominence with 10 ITTF Challenge Series titles in 2018.

Mo Zhang | 37 | Canada

Five-time Olympian and Pan Am Games champion. Known for her short-pips style, career-high world No. 19, and Canada’s best Olympic singles result at Tokyo 2020.

Yashaswini Ghorpade | 21 | India

India’s No. 1 women’s singles player. 2026 Senior National Champion, mixed doubles gold medalist, and ITTF World Team Championships debutant.

Favour Ojo | 15 | Nigeria

Breakthrough youth star, Africa Youth Games gold medalist. Named Most Improved Player in 2025, with strong performances in cadet and youth competitions.

Khadijat Okanlawon | 17 | Nigeria

Emerging “giant slayer” from Oyo State. Notable upset wins in national tournaments and a strong competitor in U-19 events, including WTT Contender Lagos.