After missing the WTT Contender in Lagos and Tunis last month, Quadri Aruna is back in action at the WTT Star Contender Bangkok 2024 in Thailand.
As one of the top seeds in the men’s singles, the Nigerian aims to bolster his ranking points ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Currently ranked 16th by the International Table Tennis Federation(ITTF), Aruna could secure a spot among the top 16 seeds in the Men’s Singles at the Olympics as only two of the five top-ranked Chinese players will compete in Paris.
Joining Aruna is Canada’s Edward Ly, whose meteoric rise from beyond the Top 300 to World No. 36 within a year is a remarkable story. Ly’s 2024 journey includes his WTT Champions debut and continued ascent in the rankings.
Local athletes Napat Thanmathikom and Phakpoom Sanguansin, both wildcards, are set to make their WTT Series main draw debut in front of home fans.
Meanwhile, Jinnipa Sawettabut, with 10 WTT Series appearances this ranking period, seeks a breakthrough after entering the Top 100 in March.
Aruna stands out as the sole African star competing against a star-studded lineup in Bangkok. The $250,000 prize money tournament at Huamark Indoor Stadium promises intense competition, with 600 ITTF World Ranking Points up for grabs.
As the fourth of five Star Contender events in 2024, Bangkok sets the stage for world-class table tennis in the Land of Smiles.
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
