Post a comment 
Sierra Leone has officially etched its name into African table tennis history after 17-year-old rising star Naomi Coker won a historic bronze medal in the Girls’ Under-19 Singles event at the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships held at the Borteyman Sports Complex in Accra, Ghana.
The bronze medal marks Sierra Leone’s first-ever podium finish at the prestigious continental youth championship, representing a major milestone for the country’s table tennis development.
Coker’s historic achievement comes just weeks after the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) officially approved her change of sporting allegiance from England to Sierra Leone. A former English Cadet National Singles and Doubles champion, she opted to represent Sierra Leone in honour of her father’s heritage.
Although her impressive run ended in the semi-finals against a strong opponent, reaching the last four automatically secured her a bronze medal, making her the first Sierra Leonean to win a medal at the ITTF Africa Youth Championships.
The achievement is also a significant boost for Sierra Leone table tennis, which has been rebuilding its presence on the continental stage after years of limited participation. Coker’s performance is expected to inspire a new generation of players and further strengthen the country’s ambitions in African and international table tennis competitions.
