Aruna Quadri, Africa’s top-ranked table tennis star, has ascended in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Rankings for men’s singles. After successfully retaining his ITTF Africa Senior Championships title, he has moved up two spots from 18th to 16th in the latest rankings.
Quadri’s triumph in Tunisia saw him secure his eighth African table tennis title, where he dominated the men’s singles final, defeating Egypt’s Ahmed Saleh with a convincing 4-0 scoreline. His impressive performance earned him 500 ranking points, bringing his total to 1260.
Speaking about his victory, the 35-year-old Nigerian expressed his happiness and noted that it helped erase the painful memory of an injury he suffered during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification held in Tunis.
“Winning another title here is good to erase the bad memory. This win will remain with me for a long time. I am happy and I look forward to the next challenge,” Quadri stated.
Despite missing out on direct qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics, Quadri’s consistency and remarkable achievements in African table tennis continue to earn him recognition and higher rankings.
In addition to his men’s singles titles, Aruna Quadri has also secured victories in doubles and team events, making him one of Africa’s most prominent and consistent table tennis players.
In the latest ITTF World Rankings, Egypt’s Omar Assar climbed one spot to 21st in the world and is now second in Africa with a total of 990 points. Ahmed Saleh, on the other hand, made an incredible leap, moving up 218 places to 52nd globally and third in Africa with 381 points.
Mohamed Beiali, also from Egypt, is ranked 62nd globally and fourth in the continent, having accumulated 307 points. Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw lost two spots, finishing the month at 90th globally and fifth in Africa, with 208 points.
Among other notable movements, Nigerian players Omotayo Olajide and Bode Abiodun made significant leaps, moving up 264 and 294 spots, respectively, to rank 104th and 146th globally.
However, it wasn’t all positive news for Nigerian players in the latest rankings, as Taiwo Mati, Amadi Omeh, Azeez Solanke, and Riliwan Akanbi experienced drops in their rankings.
Mati, aged 17, is now ranked 92nd in the world. Omeh, who dropped four spots, is now placed 169th. Akanbi also fell four spots, landing at 273, while Solanke dropped two spots to 286th in the world rankings.
Aruna Quadri’s remarkable journey in the world of table tennis continues to inspire not only Nigerians but the entire African continent, as he aims to reach new heights in the global rankings and represent Africa on the international stage.
