Aruna Quadri Ascends To Africa’s No. 1 Spot In Table Tennis Rankings.
In a momentous achievement for Nigerian sport, Aruna Quadri has reclaimed his position as Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, cementing his status as one of the continent’s most formidable talents. The International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) confirmed the latest rankings update, with Aruna surging to the pinnacle of African table tennis following a series of stellar performances on the global stage.
The 36-year-old Nigerian star, renowned for his explosive forehand and unrelenting attacking style, has long been a trailblazer in the sport. His ascent to the No. 1 spot in Africa comes amidst a fiercely competitive year, highlighted by his recent exploits at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup in Tunis, Tunisia. Although Aruna narrowly missed out on retaining his title in a thrilling 4-3 final loss to Egypt’s Omar Assar last month, his consistent brilliance throughout the tournament and beyond has propelled him back to the top of the continental rankings.
Aruna’s journey to this milestone has been nothing short of remarkable. Hailing from Oyo State, Nigeria, he first burst onto the international scene as a junior, winning gold in the Cadet Boys’ Singles at the 2004 African Junior Championship in Mauritius. Since then, he has amassed an illustrious career, including five ITTF Africa Cup titles and a historic rise to the world’s top 10 in 2017—making him the first African player to achieve such a feat. His latest triumph sees him ranked 17th globally, a testament to his enduring skill and tenacity.
Speaking after his latest ranking success, Aruna expressed his gratitude and determination to continue pushing the boundaries of African table tennis. “It’s an honour to be back at No. 1 in Africa,” he said. “This is a reward for hard work and dedication, but there’s still more to achieve. I want to inspire the next generation of players from Nigeria and across the continent.”
The Nigerian Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) hailed Aruna’s achievement as a proud moment for the nation. “Quadri is a phenomenal athlete and a true ambassador for Nigerian sport,” an NTTF spokesperson remarked. “His success on the world stage continues to elevate the profile of table tennis in Africa.”
Aruna’s resurgence comes at a pivotal time as he prepares to face some of the world’s best players at the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025 in China later this month. There, he will take on world No. 2 Wang Chuqin in a highly anticipated first-round clash—an encounter that promises to test his mettle against one of the sport’s elite. With an $800,000 prize purse on the line, the tournament offers Aruna a chance to further solidify his reputation as a global contender.
Fans across Nigeria and beyond have taken to social media to celebrate the news. As Aruna continues to break barriers, his latest achievement serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes across Africa. With his sights set on further glory, the Nigerian table tennis icon shows no signs of slowing down, proving once again that he is a force to be reckoned with both on and off the table.
