Nigeria’s table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, demonstrated once more why he is regarded as one of the continent’s top athletes, putting forth a vigorous performance that kept Nigeria’s—and Africa’s—dreams alive at the 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Amid a day when the majority of African players were eliminated, Aruna seized the moment, achieving an exhilarating 4-2 win against Norway’s Borgar Haug in the Men’s Singles second round
He opened the encounter confidently with an 11-7 win, but Haug responded with a commanding 11-3 in the second set. The match became a seesaw affair as Aruna edged the third set 11-8, only for Haug to level things at 2-2 by taking the fourth 11-8.
In the fifth, Aruna found his rhythm, using powerful serves and clever angles to regain control with another 11-7 win. The sixth set provided the night’s most gripping moment—Aruna led 9-7, but Haug rallied to 10-10. With nerves of steel, Aruna snatched the final two points to seal a 12-10 victory and advance to the third round as the last Nigerian—and African—man standing in the singles event.
His performance earned cheers not only from fans but also from officials like ITTF Africa President Wahid Enitan Oshodi, who witnessed the action firsthand.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointment for Nigeria’s mixed doubles pair, Olajide Omotayo and Kabirat Ayoola, who bowed out in the second round following a defeat to South Korea.
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