Young Manenberg table tennis star claims under-13 and under-15 titles
Shonah Jones, from Manenberg, keeps her eye on the ball during her girls under-15 championship final i against Bonteheuwel's Tamika van As, at the Cape Town Table Tennis Open at the Wynberg Military Base indoor sports centre on Sunday.
Image: Mark Ward
Mark Ward
Shonah Jones, 12, is not merely following in the footsteps of her father, Shaun, a two-time national table tennis champion, she’s blazing her own trail.
A Grade 6 pupil at Welcome Primary School, young Shonah has already begun carving out a name as one of South Africa’s brightest young prospects despite competing in a higher age group.
This past weekend, Shonah showcased her growing talent at the Wynberg Military Base indoor sports centre, where she claimed the under-13 and under-15 titles at the Cape Town Table Tennis Open championships. Representing Duinefontein Table Tennis Club, she edged out rival Tamika van As, from Bonteheuwel's Boundary TTC, in a thrilling 3–2 victory.
Shonah Jones with her father Shaun and brother Micah after clinching the Cape Town open girls'under-15 title at the Wynberg Military Base indoor sports centre.
Image: Mark Ward
Shonah is the daughter of Shaun Jones, the eight-time South African champion who also represented South at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. While Shaun’s illustrious career continues in the veterans divisions, he beams with pride watching his daughter’s rapid rise.
With her latest triumph, she’s setting her sights on even bigger stages, chasing national titles and, ultimately, the dream of wearing South Africa’s colours on the Olympic stage.
Michah clinched a silver medal in the boys in the u/11 division.