By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 23, 2024
Nigeria table tennis star Quadri Aruna is upbeat about his chances of winning a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics to be held from July 26 to August 11 in France, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Aruna was seeded in 14th place in the men’s singles event, meaning he will start his campaign in the second round when the event begins on July 28 at the South Paris Arena.
According to the International Table Tennis Federation, the seeding was based on the world rankings released on Tuesday, which saw Aruna retain his 19th position in the world.
The Nigerian will be making his fourth appearance at the Games with the hope of going past the quarter-finals, which he achieved in Rio in 2016.
“Immediately after we finished in Tokyo, the preparation had already started. I’ve played in several international tournaments in different places. I can say that I am well prepared,” Aruna told Sportsville.
“The goals are the same; you know, everyone wants to do well and everyone wants to win a medal, but sometimes it is not all about winning a medal. It’s about giving your best.
“Don’t forget 2016 in Rio; I was very close to winning a medal. I got to the quarterfinals, but four years later, it was not the same performance, but it is what it is. Nothing is really for sure, but this time around, I strongly believe that I will do my best.”
He also rated his chances against some of his opponents from the supposed table tennis countries.
“Against the Chinese, it’s like 60–40, and against other Asians, I can tell you that is 50–50. I have won against some Chinese players and am just yet to win against world No. 1 and world No. 2. My objective is to do much more than I did in Tokyo and get something better than I did in Rio.”
Source Punch Ng
Posted July 23, 2024
You may also like...
Ndidi set for Watford clash
CAF General Secretary Quits, Commercial Director Handed Acting...
Abuja agog over Football Supporters Club election
Barcelona Defeat Sevilla To Reignite La Liga Hopes...
Federer Makes Winning French Open Return As Swiatek,...
Al Hilal fans eulogise Ighalo

AFN VP pledges N1.6m reward for C’wealth Games trials
Joshua warns Prenga ahead July 25 bout
Nigeria’s World Cup absence a big miss – Terry
NOC To Formally Launch Safeguarding Policy On June 16
Messi scores on injury return as Argentina beat Iceland in World Cup warm-up
Iwobi to join Yobo, Enyeama, Musa on 100 Nigeria caps
Omewa happy to open Falcons goal account
World Cup: Enyimba, Remo to benefit from FIFA’s $355m windfall
Nigerian-Born Stars Set to Shine in the US, Canada and Mexico
Omewa brace powers Falcons past Senegal
Joshua open to Itauma fight
NWFL Super Six: Edo Queens’ beat FC Robo 4-1
Rangers International going, going . . . (63,844 views)
Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (55,177 views)
Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (53,125 views)
Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,693 views)
Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (52,596 views)
Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (52,494 views)
Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (52,330 views)
NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,895 views)
Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (51,076 views)
Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,576 views)
Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (48,012 views)
John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (47,454 views)