Nigeria’s Table Tennis star Aruna Quadri has moved into the top 20 of the ITTF world rankings following his impressive performance at the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Doha.
Quadri recorded victories over Spain’s Alvaro Robles and Korea’s Park Ganghyeon before he crashed out of the competition in the semi-final after a tough defeat to Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto.
He produced one of his best performances but Ganghyeon proved too difficult to break down as the Japanese recorded a 11-9, 11-3, 11-5 win to book a place in the final.
It is the second time Quadri has reached the semi-finals of a WTT Star Contender event, making him the only African male player to achieve this feat twice.
He is also the only male African player to reach the last four of the WTT Star Contender.
Despite the defeat, Quadri enjoyed a rise in the ITTF rankings, moving into the top 20 after he was ranked 21st for the better part of 2024.
Another Nigerian Table Tennis star, Olajide Omotayo was ranked in the 96th position, while Matthew Kuti dropped to 198th.
Mustapha Mustapha, and Abdulrahaman Abdullahi took up the 399th and 400th position respectively in the world rankings.
In the women’s category, Offiong Edem is Nigeria’s highest ranked player, maintaining her 103rd position followed by Fatimo Bello (129th ), Hope Udoaka (189th ), Ajoke Ojomu (193rd) and Aishat Rabiu (233rd ).
In a related development, Aruna Quadri’s children impressed at the João Monteiro Table Tennis Tournament in Portugal with podium finishes in their respective categories.
Mariam Aruna finished second in the U-15 category, Aruna Junior also came second in the U-11 category.
Amirah Aruna earned her first-ever trophy in Table Tennis in the U-11 category.
Aruna’s children are coached by their mother, Ganiyat Aruna, who was delighted with their showing in Portugal.
She wrote on Facebook: “It’s not easy. Since 7 am in the morning. Alhamdulillah, it all ended joyfully and with praises.
Similarly, The International Table Tennis Federation also praised Aruna’s children for keeping the Table Tennis legacy alive.
ITTF wrote on Instagram: “The Aruna siblings are keeping the table tennis legacy alive. The three youngsters proudly made the podium at the João Monteiro competition in Portugal, much to the delight of their coach and mother, Ganiyat.”
