In Cape Verde, where the continent’s brightest young chess minds gathered, one name once again stood tallest Hamed Wafa.
The Egyptian sensation etched his legacy in bold after clinching a third consecutive African Junior Chess Championship title, a feat that cements him as one of the most dominant juniors the competition has ever seen.
Wafa’s path to glory was as commanding as it was composed. He finished the nine-round event unbeaten, amassing 7 points from seven victories and two hard-fought draws.
Fittingly, those draws came against David George and Xavier Mompel the very players who stood alongside him on the podium with silver and bronze medals.
It was a reminder that even the continent’s finest had to dig deep to stay on equal terms with the Egyptian star.
Beyond the headlines of Wafa’s triumph, the championship offered stories of grit and rising promise.
Angola’s Leopoldino Costa, seeded 11th, defied expectations with a bold and fearless campaign that carried him into fifth place. His run not only turned heads but also earned him the distinction of being Angola’s best performer in Cape Verde.
For Wafa, though, this victory was about more than just another medal it was about legacy. With three consecutive titles, he steps into rare company, joining the pantheon of juniors whose dominance reshaped the continental chess landscape. And with each move on the board, the Egyptian continues to remind Africa that his journey is only just beginning.
