The stage is set for table tennis’s future stars to dazzle at Helsingborg Arena as the ITTF World Youth Championships begin tomorrow. Among the talented lineup, Iran’s Benyamin Faraji arrives with momentum after a remarkable achievement.
Last month, the 14-year-old prodigy stunned the table tennis world by defeating world No. 1 Wang Chuqin at the 2024 Asian Table Tennis Championships. Faraji, ranked 209 places below Chuqin, secured a thrilling 3-2 victory (11-8, 3-11, 9-11, 13-11, 11-9) against his Chinese rival.
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Despite this special triumph, Faraji remains remarkably grounded. “Winning against the world number one was unbelievable for me, but I believed in myself,” he reflects.
Faraji’s journey began at age four in his father’s club, where his foundation in the sport was built. Today, he splits his training between this familiar setting and the national team’s training camps, working under the guidance of coaches Mehran Ahadi, Miad Mokayef, and Jamil Lotfollahnassabi. His rapid progression has earned him spots on Iran’s U15, U19, and senior national teams.
“My dream is to secure a medal in the Olympic Games,” says Faraji, who balances his intensive training schedule with family time and occasional volleyball games with friends. This blend of determined focus and youthful spirit makes him one to watch as the Youth Championships unfold in Helsingborg.
As the tournament commences tomorrow, all eyes will be on whether this young Iranian sensation can add another remarkable chapter to his already impressive story.
