Annett Kaufmann wins gold: German table tennis sensation crowns herself at the Junior World Championships

Annett Kaufmann wins gold
German table tennis sensation crowns herself at the Junior World Championships

November 29, 2024, 10:38 p.m

Annett Kaufmann is a crowd favorite – and now also world champion. The woman who performed so well at the Olympics wins the under-19 world title. The high school graduate achieves something historic.

The best in the world in her age group: Annett Kaufmann achieved a huge triumph at the end of the year. The German table tennis hopeful is junior world champion. The 18-year-olds, who had become crowd favorites at the Summer Olympics, now won the gold medal. In the final in Helsingborg, Sweden, she beat the Chinese Zong German with 4:2 sets.

“I can’t believe it, it feels so surreal,” said Kaufmann after her victory, when she beat the gold medalist in the doubles and mixed doubles. Kaufmann is the first under-19 world champion from Germany. Her victory is even a novelty across Europe.

Bronze also goes to Germany

There was even a German final almost. Mia Griesel led 2-1 in sets against the Germans in the semi-finals, but still had to admit defeat 2-4. Griesel ultimately rewarded himself with bronze – and thus ensured an outstanding German individual result in Sweden. Patrick Baum last triumphed among men in 2005.

For Kaufmann it was already the second medal at this Youth World Championships. In the doubles she won the bronze medal together with the Welshwoman Anna Hursey. Coach Lara Broich is also happy about the World Cup title: “Of course she put a lot of pressure on herself after playing so incredibly well at the Olympics.”

This brings the already extraordinary year of 2024 to its crowning conclusion. The high school graduate is already the German women’s champion, surprisingly played a big role at the summer games when she quickly led the women’s team single-handedly into the semi-finals and also played at the top at the European Championships for adults.

Kaufmann was recently awarded the Team D Award. This is awarded by the German Olympic Sports Confederation to athletes who were unable to win a medal at the Olympic and Paralympic Games but have achieved outstanding achievements. The fans voted for the 18-year-olds with more than 52 percent in the “Paris 2024 Olympics” category.