- Sarah Hanffou is the first Cameroonian athlete to exit the 2024 Paris Olympics after R32 loss to Cheng I-Ching
- The multiple African games medallist leaves her third Olympics without winning any of the silver wear in her three participation
- Hanffou is set to make a return not as an athletes but a trainer or guide for future athletes in Africa
Sarah Hanffou has been eliminated from the 2024 Paris Olympics after losing in straight sets (5-0) to Cheng I-Ching from Chinese Taipei.
The Round of 32 (R32) started off poorly for the Olympian, who failed to score a point against her opponent. She fell short by two points in the second set, which ended 10-12. From 5-11 to 1-11 in the third and fourth sets, it was evident that the Cameroonian would leave Paris without a medal. The last set ended 12-14, sealing the win for her opponent.
Speaking to the press post-match, Sarah explained that her opponent was significantly better than her throughout the sets. She had hoped to win the first set to gain momentum, but her opponent proved to be stronger than anticipated.
This is Hanffou’s third Olympics appearance after London 2012 and Tokyo 2020. Her early exit also marks the end of her three-decade career in table tennis.
“End of the road and end of the career. I had said it; it’s my third Olympics. I have mixed feelings over the fact that I lost. I would have loved to go far for Cameroon. I received so many messages from social media. It’s the end of my career. I am happy for the career I had playing for Cameroon, despite these paradoxical feelings. I gave my all.” She explained
Sarah Hanffou, born on October 8, 1986, in Roubaix, France, is a distinguished Cameroonian table tennis player and attorney.Notably, she won a silver medal at the 2010 African Championships and has been recognized for her community service, receiving the Athletes in Excellence Award in 2015.
Beyond her athletic career, Hanffou is the founder of “Ping Sans Frontières,” a nonprofit aimed at promoting table tennis in Sub-Saharan Africa while addressing environmental issues. She is also an EcoAthletes Champion, advocating for sustainability in sports.
With this experience, the award-winning table tennis player hopes to explore different aspects of the sport in the future. She expressed her gratitude, saying,
“I want to say thank you; I was touched by the messages I received. I will come back in a different capacity. It’s been 30 years in my career. I have learned so much from table tennis, and many trainers have helped me. I have to give back what I was given. I will take some time off with my family, then come back and contribute to the African continent.”
She leaves the athletic scene with numerous medals under her belt.
Hanffou is the first Cameroonian athlete to be eliminated in this year’s Olympics. However, five athletes from Cameroon are still in competition.
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