In the fast-paced world of table tennis, one name that has been making headlines and turning heads for a while is Quadri Aruna. Hailing from Nigeria, Aruna has emerged as a dominant force in the sport, captivating audiences with his skill, agility, and determination.
Quadri’s Early Days
Born on August 9, 1988, in Oyo, Nigeria, Aruna’s passion for table tennis ignited at a young age, propelling him towards a path of excellence in the sport. Quadri was introduced to table tennis by his physical education teacher in primary school, who noticed his talent and encouraged him to pursue the sport.
After primary school, Quadri continued to accompany his older brother, Femi, to the table tennis hall in Oyo. It was not long before his interest was noticed, and he was invited to join in and play with the other boys. His mother allowed him to continue as long as he did not allow his studies to suffer because of his newfound love for table tennis.
Quadri quickly developed a passion for table tennis and started playing regularly at a local club, where he met his mentor and coach, Segun Toriola, a Nigerian table tennis legend and seven-time Olympian. Toriola took Quadri under his wing and helped him improve his skills and technique. Quadri’s dedication and hard work paid off, as he started winning local and national tournaments at a young age. He also represented Nigeria at various international junior events, such as the African Junior Championships and the World Junior Championships.
Quadri completed a bachelor’s degree in Security Management from the Atlantic International University of America.
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Quadri’s Tennis Career
Quadri won his first continental title in 2004 when he clinched the cadet boys’ singles gold medal at the African Junior Championships in Mauritius. He also debuted at the senior level in 2004, participating in the ITTF World Championships in Qatar.
Quadri is the first player from Africa to be listed among the top 10. He advanced to the Men’s Singles quarterfinals at the 2014 World Cup.
Qudari made history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, becoming the first African player to reach the men’s singles event quarter-finals. He was named the ITTF Star Player of the Year in 2016 and received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Nigeria. He also became an ambassador for his country, continent, and sport, inspiring many young players to follow in his footsteps.
Honors
Aruna competed in the 2017 ITTF African Cup, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where he defeated Algeria’s Naim Karali (4-1). In the semi-finals, Aruna defeated Egyptian player Mohamed El-beiali (4-3), qualifying for the finals. In the Finals, Aruna played and defeated long-time rival Omar Assar in a close match (4-3). Aruna won the event and became the 2017 African Cup Champion.
In 2018, he became the first African player to be ranked in the top 20 in the world. Again, he won his first Commonwealth Games medal, a silver in the men’s singles. Aruna also competed in the 2018 ATTF African Cup, placing first in group 2, allowing him to qualify for the Quarterfinals. In the Quarterfinals, Aruna defeated Derek Abrefa (4-0). In the Semi-Finals, he defeated Ahmed Saleh (4-1), allowing him to advance to the finals of the African Cup.
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At 2018 African Cup Finals, Omar Assar, a two-time champion, played against reigning champion Aruna. Assar won the first two games but Aruna made a comeback in the third game. Assar won the fourth game but lost some points in an attempt to end rallies early. Aruna won the next two games, tying the score at 3-3. In the final game, Assar took an early lead and won the match, resulting in Aruna being placed second.
In 2019, he reached the quarter-finals of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, matching his best result at the event. Based on his world ranking, he qualified for his third Olympic Games in Tokyo 2020, and he moved to a new club, Fakel-Gazprom Orenburg, one of the top teams in the Russian league and Europe.
In 2021, Aruna reached the quarter-finals of the WTT Contender event at WTT Doha. He lost 3-1 in the quarter-finals to Lin Yun-Ju after saving four match points and nearly mounting a comeback. Aruna reached the quarter-finals of the World Table Tennis Championships in Houston but lost 2-4 to Sweden’s Truls Möregårdh.
In 2023, he retained his title in the men’s singles of the ATTF African Championships. For the third time in a row, he defeated Ahmed Saleh of Egypt in a convincing 4-0 win in the final match on Sunday, September 17, in Tunis, Tunisia.
World Ranking
Quadri is currently ranked 16th globally and still the undisputed number-one player in Africa. Being one of the top 16 players in the world, he would receive automatic qualification for the prestigious Frankfurt elite tournament.
Quadri hopes to win a medal for Nigeria and Africa at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024. He is a role model and a mentor for many aspiring table tennis players, providing them with guidance, support, and inspiration. He is humble and generous, giving back to his community and country through various initiatives and donations.