At the 2025 ITTF World Championships, Nigeria’s table tennis star Quadri Aruna bolstered his esteemed reputation by securing a tough 4-2 victory against Germany’s Benedikt Duda, thus advancing to the fourth round of the Men’s Singles in Doha, Qatar.
In the dynamic Lusail Hall, Aruna faced off against the left-handed Duda, providing an electrifying display of talent and tenacity. With this victory, Aruna becomes the last African player remaining in the Men’s Singles after Egypt’s Omar Assar was eliminated in the second round on Monday.
A controversial service fault call in the fourth set proved costly, as Aruna appeared unsettled and lost 11-2. But the African number one showed tremendous character in the fifth. Down 3-9, he rallied back to 9-9 and edged the set 12-10 in a dramatic turnaround that electrified the crowd Buoyed by the momentum, Aruna maintained his intensity in the sixth, combining blistering forehand loops with precision placement to seal the match 11-9 and complete a hard-earned 4-2 victory.
Commentators praised Aruna’s strategic skill and psychological resilience, highlighting his capacity to withstand pressure and perform in difficult circumstances. The victory sends him into the tournament’s last 16, where he aims to carry on his pursuit of a historic podium finish for Nigeria and Africa.
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