MUSCAT, NOV 2
Seeb Club player, Muhannad al Balushi, clinched the title of 2025 Oman Men’s Singles Table Tennis Championship title after an intense 3–2 victory over Ahmed al Riyami of Ibri Club in the final match at the main hall of the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex in Bausher. Ghassan al Ghassani of Seeb Club secured third place after defeating his team-mate Asaad al Raisi 3–1 in the third-place playoff. The tournament was under direct supervision of the head coach, Omid Shamas Sharbabki and his assistant Adnan Fawakherji. The coaching staff noted their technical points on the players performances specially who managed to reach into the final rounds.
The three-day championship, organised by the Oman Table Tennis Association (OTTA), featured participation of 48 players representing various clubs across the Sultanate of Oman including: Seeb, Ibri, Al Amerat, Saham, Nakhal, Al Rustaq, Al Suwaiq, Taqah, Salalah, Masirah, Al Salam, Ahli Sidab and Al Bashayer.
Al Balushi’s triumph marks a strong comeback after finishing third in last season’s edition. The 2024 champion Bilal al Rashdi ended his participation in the tournament from the quarterfinals after receiving a 3–1 loss against al Ghassani, while last year’s runner-up Said al Kharousi was also eliminated at the same stage following a 3–1 defeat to Asaad al Raisi. The championship witnessed three days of thrilling competition, beginning with the preliminary rounds and culminating in highly competitive knockout stages, as players from different clubs vied for supremacy and national ranking points.
Muhannad al Balushi’s path to victory included several strong performances. He topped his third group which featured from Tariq al Majrafi from Al Amerat and Turki al Abri from Al Rustaq club and he won both games to lead the group. He defeated Sami al Jabri from Taqah Club in last 32, followed by a win over Said al Qarni of Al Rustaq Club in the Round of 16. He then overcame Badr al Jassasi in the quarterfinals, before edging Asaad al Raisi in the semifinals and finally clinching the title against Ahmed al Riyami in the decisive final.
In the coming week, the domestic clubs will begin their campaign at the 2025 Oman Men’s Teams Table Tennis Championship which will start on Thursday and will conclude on Sunday at the Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex. The senior teams event will conclude the 2025 domestic season.
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