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Aruna's victory earned him a spot in the quarterfinals, where he was set to face the world's number one player, Fan Zhendong of China.
The table tennis world witnessed a stunning upset at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Men's Finals in Doha. Nigeria's Quadri Aruna defied the odds to defeat South American champion Hugo Calderano.
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14:30 - 01.03.2024
Top 10 Table Tennis Players in Africa in 2024
The ITTF World Table Tennis Championships Finals, hosted in Durban, South Africa, marked a historic moment as it was the first time in 84 years that the event was held in Africa.
Aruna, ranked 16th in the WTT rankings, faced a daunting challenge against Hugo Calderano, the world's number-five player from Brazil.
Aruna's extraordinary performance highlights his journey from underdog to victor in one of the sport's most thrilling encounters.
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19:40 - 05.10.2023
Table Tennis: Quadri Aruna joins Saudi Arabia League
Aruna transferred from the German club TTC RhönSprudel Maberzell Fulda to the Saudi Arabian team.
Aruna's Victory at the WTT Men's Finals
Nigeria's top table tennis player, Quadri Aruna, showcased incredible skill and determination at the World Table Tennis (WTT) Men's Finals in Doha. Entering the tournament ranked 16th in the WTT rankings, Aruna was considered an underdog, especially given his previous losses to Hugo Calderano, the world number five from Brazil.
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Aruna made a remarkable comeback in a match that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. He turned the tables astonishingly despite losing the first two sets, 11-7 and 11-2. He won the subsequent three sets, 11-9, 12-10, and 12-10, clinching a 3-2 victory in a nail-biting five-set encounter.
This impressive turnaround marked a significant milestone in Aruna's career and led him to the tournament's quarterfinals.
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11:50 - 30.11.2023
Winners emerge at Ogun SWAN/Tokunbo Talabi Table Tennis Tourney
Rafiu Alarape of Silverbird Television defeated Afolabi Sobande of Radio Nigeria/Paramount FM Abeokuta to win the championship with a cash prize of $50.
The Quarterfinal Berth
Aruna's victory earned him a spot in the quarterfinals, where he was set to face the world's number one player, Fan Zhendong of China.
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06:57 - 19.09.2023
Quadri Aruna and Funke Oshonaike: Sports Minister showers encomiums on Nigerian Icons
Aruna, who is the tournament’s number one seed, defeated Ahmed Saleh of Egypt 4-0 in the final match to retain his African title.
This matchup was eagerly anticipated, pitting Aruna's resilience and strategic play against Zhendong's top-ranking prowess.
The Role of Coaching and Strategy
A critical factor in Aruna's success was his coach's strategic guidance and motivational support. Throughout the match, his coach's advice and encouragement kept Aruna focused and resilient, contributing significantly to his comeback and ultimate victory.
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Aruna's win at the WTT Finals is a significant achievement for Nigeria and Africa in the global table tennis arena. His ability to compete and triumph against higher-ranked players on such a prestigious stage is a testament to his skill, hard work, and the growing competitiveness of African athletes in international sports.
Looking Ahead
With the WTT Men's Finals offering substantial World Ranking points and featuring a prize pool of $340,000, the tournament is a high-stakes event for the participants. Aruna's performance adds to his accolades and boosts his world rating ahead of the qualifying tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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