Table Tennis: Aruna and Assar set rivalry aside, embrace spirit of sportsmanship

Table Tennis: Aruna and Assar set rivalry aside, embrace spirit of sportsmanship

Hassan Abdulsalam 20:59 - 25.05.2023

Assar called Quadri Aruna to celebrate with him after defeating Croatian Tomislav Pucar in the round of 16 of the World Table Tennis Championship.

Egyptian, Omar Assar defeated Pucar Tomislav 4-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, South Africa.

Pulse Sports reported that Assar is the only African Player remaining in the championship after Nigeria's Taiwo Mati was knocked out in the last 16 on Wednesday.

https://twitter.com/ITTFAfrica/status/1661789363536121856?s=20

The African champion became the second-ever African player to achieve the feat.

Spirit of Sportsmanship despite rivalries in Africa

After Assar's historic win, he called Quadri Aruna to celebrate with him on the Podium.

Pulse Sports reported that Assar defeated Aruna in two consecutive finals of the Africa table tennis cup to remain the African champion.

Quadri Aruna and Omar Assar
Aruna and Assar celebrates historic feet

Assar explained that Aruna encouraged and motivate him to beat Pucar.

He added that he is following in the footsteps of Aruna as he usually leads him to the podium finish.

According to him, "I am following my big brother Quarti Aruna he always has a lead, he is an amazing player, top player and I always encourage him, like what he was doing today was phenomenal.

"You don’t see so much a player from another nation who supports his friend and teammate like what Quarti did today. I would like to thank him, it means a lot to me, that is why I hugged him after the match.

Aruna and Assar
Quadri Aruna

"It was not planned but I felt like that, so thanks Quardi, thanks my brother, team Egypt, team Nigeria, and team Africa, I am very happy," he said.

Assar motivates young players

The Lagos Pharaoh motivated young players on the continent to learn from mistakes and should be eager to learn from people.

The Egyptian added that he and Aruna are very good examples of learning to young players.

Omar Assar
Omar Assar

He said, "Well l, If o would choose to say something to the African players, I would say; choose to be eager to learn around people who are there to teach you, always learn from your mistakes of your losses.

"I think Quadri, myself, and other African players are a very good example of this. We struggled in the beginning, we didn’t show big upsets internationally until recently. And I am very proud that we started to play very well all of us."

I feel at home in Durban - Assar

Assar continued that he feels at home in Durban and he enjoyed the companionship of his colleagues from the continent.

He said, "In general playing in Durban means a lot to me, it means playing in Africa. Because I feel like it’s home already from day one; as it feels like African Championships, you get to see your friends from other African countries which is amazing.

"And I felt well directly in the hall, which helped me a lot, and to play such a big event in Africa it makes me proud. But to reach the quarterfinals I am over the sky right now."

Omar Assar

A big task awaits Assar as he faces world number one, Fan Zhendong in the Quarter Final

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