Quadri Aruna becomes Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, moving to 18th globally. His WTT performances contributed significantly to this achievement. In women’s singles, Hana Goda remains Africa’s leader at 26th. The global rankings see China continuing to dominate in both categories. Aruna’s next challenge lies at WTT Contender Chennai from March 23 to 30, 2025.
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has reclaimed his position as Africa’s highest-ranked table tennis player, surpassing Egypt’s Omar Assar in the latest ITTF Week 12 rankings. Previously ranked 19th in the world, Aruna has risen to 18th, while Assar has dropped from 17th to 19th, allowing Aruna to take the lead as the continent’s No. 1 player. Denmark’s Jonathan Groth has ascended to 17th, now occupying Assar’s former ranking.
Aruna’s advancement in the rankings is attributed to his exceptional performances in World Table Tennis (WTT) tournaments throughout the year, despite finishing as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup. He is notably the only African male player to reach the semi-finals of the WTT Contender Doha, achieving this milestone first in 2023 and again in January 2025. His consistent high-level performances facilitated his ascendancy over Assar, who had previously defeated him in the Africa Cup final for the continental title.
Looking ahead, Aruna is set to compete in the WTT Contender Chennai, scheduled to occur in India from March 23 to 30, 2025. In the women’s singles category, Egypt’s Hana Goda has maintained her status as Africa’s top female player, moving up one rank to 26th globally. Meanwhile, her compatriot Dina Meshref remains at 33rd, solidifying her position as the continent’s second-best female player.
Globally, China continues to assert its dominance in table tennis rankings for both men and women. Lin Shidong remains at No. 1 in the men’s singles, with Wang Chuqin in second place. Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto has climbed to third after performing well at the WTT Champions Chongqing. In the women’s category, the top five rankings remain steady, with China’s Sun Yingsha successfully defending her title at the same event.
Aruna’s return to the position of Africa’s No. 1 signifies his enduring dedication and elite talent within the sport. As he prepares for the WTT Contender Chennai, he aims to sustain his record-breaking trajectory on the world stage.
In summary, Quadri Aruna has reestablished himself as Africa’s premier table tennis player, recently advancing to 18th in global rankings. His impressive performances in WTT events have significantly contributed to this achievement. Meanwhile, Hana Goda continues to lead the women’s rankings for Africa. As Aruna prepares for the upcoming WTT Contender Chennai, he aspires to further his achievements on the competitive circuit, showcasing the potential of African table tennis on a global scale.
Original Source: www.brila.net
