Nigeria’s promising table tennis stars Matthew Kuti and Muizz Adegoke made notable progress in the latest International Table Tennis Federation world rankings for Week 41 released on Tuesday, as both players climbed five places each in a week that saw renewed Nigerian movement across the global standings.
Veteran, Quadri Aruna remains Nigeria’s highest-ranked player, holding firm in 25th place with 1,185 points.
The 37-year-old continues to lead Africa’s contingent, ahead of Egypt’s Omar Assar and Youssef Abdelaziz, who sit outside the global top 30.
Aruna’s consistency at the top level reflects his enduring dominance, as he remains one of the few African players consistently competing on the World Table Tennis circuit.
Behind Aruna, 19-year-old Kuti continued his rise as Nigeria’s second-best player, moving up five places to 195th with 89 points after a string of impressive performances at international youth and challenger events.
Abdulbasit Abdulfatai also climbed four places to 202nd with 81 points, while Olajide Omotayo, another key member of Nigeria’s previous Commonwealth Games team, is now ranked 208th, up four spots.
Further down the list, Taiwo Mati rose three places to 220th, and 17-year-old Muizz Adegoke, one of the standout performers at the African Youth Championships, jumped five spots to 237th, consolidating his place among the country’s fast-rising prospects.
Kolasi Wasiu (352nd), Rilwan Akanbi (405th), Mathew Fabunmi (407th), and Azeez Solanke (432nd) also recorded upward movements, signalling an encouraging phase for Nigeria’s men’s rankings.
In the women’s standings, Fatimo Bello continues to lead the Nigerian charge at 120th with 189 points, maintaining her position as the top-ranked female player.
Ajoke Ojomu follows in 156th after climbing two places, while Aminat Fashola is 180th, up three spots. Sukurat Aiyelabegan also made progress, moving four places to 208th, while Favour Ojo rose to 270th.
The steady rise of these players, including Hope Udoaka (286th), Kabirat Ayoola (309th), and Aziza Sezuo (316th), highlights Nigeria’s growing presence in women’s table tennis.
Six young players, Aishat Rabiu, Iyanuoluwa Falana, Onyinyechi Mbah, Asiaju Bisola, Maryam Ahmed, and Joy Emmanuel, are all tied in the 379–385 bracket, each gaining four places as they continue their push for higher international exposure.
Globally, China maintains an unshakeable hold on the sport, sweeping the top positions in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Wang Chuqin remains world number one among men with 10,900 points, followed by compatriot Lin Shidong on 8,075.
Brazil’s Hugo Calderano is third with 6,050 points, ahead of Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto in fourth and France’s Félix Lebrun in fifth. Sweden’s Truls Moregard, ranked sixth, is the only European in the top six, while Germany’s Benedikt Duda and Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic complete the top 10.
The women’s global rankings paint an even clearer picture of Chinese dominance. Sun Yingsha continues to reign supreme at the top with 11,600 points, with Wang Manyu (8,850) and Chen Xingtong (6,075) completing an all-Chinese top three.
Kuai Man and Wang Yidi sit in fourth and fifth positions, respectively, making it five Chinese players in the top five. Macau’s Zhu Yuling climbed to sixth, while Japan’s Miwa Harimoto, Mima Ito, and Satsuki Odo hold the remaining places in the top 10 alongside Chen Yi of China.
The latest rankings come just days before the ITTF African Championships in Tunis, where Aruna will lead Nigeria’s men’s squad alongside Mati, Omotayo, Kuti, and Abdulfatai.
The women’s side will be spearheaded by Ojomu, who captains a youthful team including Ojo, Rabiu, Ayoola, and Aiyelabegan.
With continental bragging rights and qualification for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships at stake, Nigeria’s leading players will be under pressure to convert their rankings into medals when the tournament begins on October 12.
Credit: punchng.com
