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Aruna leads Nigerian contingent to World Championships

By Daily Sports Nigeria on May 13, 2025

Nigeria’s top-ranked table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, will lead the country’s charge at the 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha, Qatar, as the continent continues its quest for a historic first medal at the prestigious event, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The tournament is scheduled to take place from May 16 to 25, with Nigerian athletes set to compete across singles and doubles events in both the men’s and women’s categories.

Ranked 20th in the world and seeded 19th for the tournament, Aruna will spearhead Nigeria’s campaign in the men’s singles. The 36-year-old, who made history in 2021 as the first African to reach the quarterfinals of the ITTF World Championships, remains the country’s strongest medal hopeful. He begins his journey in the Round of 128 against Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy on Saturday, May 17.

Joining Aruna in the men’s singles draw are Olajide Omotayo (ranked 103rd), Muizz Adegoke (203rd), and teenage prospect Matthew Kuti (207th). Omotayo faces Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka, Adegoke takes on Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse, while Kuti will meet Samuel Kulczycki of Poland, all on Sunday, May 18.

In the women’s singles, Nigeria is represented by world number 91, Fatimo Bello, along with Ajoke Ojomu (198th) and Hope Udoaka (301st). Bello, the highest-ranked Nigerian woman, is set for a challenging encounter against world number 22, Manika Batra of India, while Ojomu will take on Sally Moyland of the United States. Udoaka begins her campaign against Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi on May 17.

Nigeria will also compete in the doubles events, with two men’s pairs, two women’s pairs, and two mixed doubles teams registered.

In the men’s doubles, Adegoke partners Abdulbasit Abdulfatai with a Combined Pair Ranking (CPR) of 115, while Omotayo pairs with Kuti (CPR 124). The women’s doubles will see Bello team up with Udoaka (CPR 247), and Ojomu combine with Kabirat Ayoola (CPR 705). For the mixed doubles, Ojomu will play alongside Kuti (CPR 213), and Omotayo will partner Ayoola (CPR 984).

Aruna’s past performances, including his historic runs at the World Championships and Olympic Games, set the tone for Nigeria’s ambition in Doha. His victory over Timo Boll at the 2016 Rio Olympics and his quarter-final appearance in Houston in 2021 remain defining moments for African table tennis.

Nigeria aim to push beyond previous quarter-final finishes and break new ground in Qatar, with Aruna’s leadership and young talents like Kuti and Udoaka looking to challenge the global elite.

Source Punch Ng

Posted May 13, 2025