The country of Ghana gets its name from the medieval Ghana Empire in West Africa, where "ghana" meant "strong warrior king." Now, nearly a millennium after the decline and fall of the Ghana Empire, a young Ghanaian is making his imperial aspirations known. Emmanuel Ofori (pictured) is already Ghana's national Under 18 and Under 21 champion. Now, as of June 19, he can drop the qualifiers and simply call himself the national champion. In the city of Koforidua, Ofori claimed the men's singles title at the Asawa National Open Table Tennis Championship, which featured over 100 entrants. Ofori overcame Emmanuel Commey 3-1 in the hard-fought final on Saturday. "First of all, I want to thank almighty God for the victory," said Ofori after the win. "I also want to thank my coach for the training and belief he had in me. I am really happy I have taken the first-ever trophy. It wasn't easy but I was able to do it." The titular Asawa is the affectionate sobriquet of Ghanaian table tennis player, Isaac Opoku. While Asawa may be a household name in Ghana, it is Ofori who aims to put Ghana on the world table tennis map. "I have set a target and aim for myself," Ofori confided. "I will be the champion in Africa and for the nation as a whole. It won't be easy but I will achieve it." Indeed, it will not be easy for the currently unranked Ofori to overcome the continent's top players such as Egypt's Omar Assar and his idol, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria. "I believe the perfect super role model is Quadri Aruna because of his humility, style of play and his technical ability," said Ofori in a 2018 interview. "I want to be like him and replicate his exploits in the Olympic Games." To do so, Emmanuel Ofori must represent not only his nation, but its etymology.

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