Nigeria’s top ranked table tennis, star Aruna Quadri will represent Africa at the 2017 ITTF World Cup in France later this year.
The Olympics quarter finalist qualified for the ITTF World Cup in France following his 4-3 triumph over Egypt’s Omar Assar in the final of the 2017 ITTF Africa Cup in Agadir, Morocco.
The 28 year old who played without any coach fought back from two sets to record a remarkable victory over Assar.
An elated Aruna Quadri said after the game that he was lucky to have outclassed his opponent.
“I am so happy and I think luck was in my favour and I look forward to play in the ITTF World Cup later this year in France,” Quadri who plays for Jura Morez in the European table tennis league said during his post match interview.
En-route the final, Aruna beat Algeria’s Naim Karali in the quarter-finals winning 11-9, 11-5, 13-11, 9-11, 11-7 to book a semi final berth and was too good for Egyptian El -Beiali Mohamed.
Meanwhile in the women’s singles category, defending champions, Funke Oshonaike, lost to the championship first seed Dina Meshref of Egypt in four straight sets in the final.
Oshonaike prior to her defeat had defeated Egyptian pair of Katia Kessaci and Yousra Helm in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively.
Aruna Quadri and Dina Meshref will represent Africa at this year’s ITTF World Cups later in the year.
Packaged by Lanre Olabisi
