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By: Johnny Edward.
Nigeria’s highest-ranked table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, hopes to qualify for the forthcoming Paris 2024 Olympics through the International Table Tennis ranking, The PUNCH reports.
Quadri, who is aiming to qualify for the Olympics for a fourth time, gained a total of 265 points after a quarter-final finish at the recent World Table Tennis men’s finals in Doha, Qatar to move up two spots from 16th position to 14th, which improved his world rating points to 1425 points in the month under review.
The Nigerian caused one of the biggest upsets at the tourney in Doha, coming from 2-0 down to beat world No.5, Brazil Hugo Calderano, 3-2 to book his place in the quarter-finals, where he lost 3-0 (11-6, 11-9, 11-4) to world No.1 Fan Zhendong at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha.
Reacting to his rise in the monthly ranking, Quadri said,”I am working hard this year so that I can achieve more successes and continue to shoot up my ranking to be able to secure my qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.”
Quadri, who holds eighth continental title overall, is the reigning African champion in the men’s category.
Since 2018, Aruna has secured three African singles titles, triumphed in doubles three times, and emerged victorious in two team events.
