Sports 20 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Joseph Sebatindira Secures Second World Hopes Table Tennis Title in Sheffield
Ugandan prodigy Joseph Sebatindira has successfully defended his World Hopes table tennis title, winning his final match 3-1 against New Zealand's Lucas Alexandre in Sheffield, UK. This victory marks his second consecutive win at the prestigious U-12 international tournament. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/sports/other-sport/sebatindira-conquers-world-in-sheffield-again-5638726
Uganda’s table tennis sensation, Joseph Sebatindira, has once again triumphed on the world stage, clinching his second consecutive ITTF World Hopes Week & Challenge title in Sheffield, UK. The young star, accompanied by his coach Alvin Katumba, achieved this remarkable feat in his final appearance at the U-12 tournament, just shy of his 12th birthday.
The event, which brings together the top under-12 table tennis players globally, featured an intensive week of training followed by a challenging competition. Sebatindira dominated the boys’ challenge, showcasing exceptional skill and determination. Out of the 17 matches played by the boys, Sebatindira lost only six games across all his encounters, demonstrating a remarkable level of consistency.
In a thrilling final round, Sebatindira faced New Zealand’s Lucas Alexandre. After winning the first game 11-8, Sebatindira experienced a setback in the second, losing 6-11. However, he swiftly regained control, securing the third game 11-4 and ultimately clinching the championship with a hard-fought 12-10 victory in the fourth game, concluding the match with a 3-1 scoreline.
This victory solidifies Sebatindira’s status as a leading young talent in table tennis and provides him with a strong foundation as he looks towards future high-performance opportunities. The World Hopes program aims to identify and nurture promising players for advanced training and competition pathways.