Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, has climbed two positions in the latest International Table Tennis Federation World Rankings for men’s singles, moving from 18th to 16th. This rise follows his impressive victory in the ITTF Africa Senior Championships, where he secured his eighth African table tennis title by defeating Ahmed Saleh of Egypt in the men’s singles final in Tunisia last Sunday.
The Nigerian top seed dominated the final with a convincing 4-0 victory (11-2, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6), despite missing a direct qualifying spot for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Despite this setback, the 33-year-old has earned a total of 500 ranking points, bringing his total to 1260.
“I am delighted with this title because I have both good and bad memories of Tunis, having suffered an injury here during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games qualification,” said the 35-year-old. “Winning another title here is a great way to erase that bad memory. This victory will stay with me for a long time. I am happy and looking forward to the next challenge.”
Since 2018, Aruna has clinched three African singles titles, won doubles three times, and achieved victory in two team events.
Egypt’s Omar Assar has also moved up one spot to 21st in the world and second in Africa, accumulating a total of 990 points. Ahmed Saleh, on the other hand, made an incredible leap by climbing 218 places to reach 52nd in the world and third in Africa with 381 points. Mohamed Beiali is ranked 62nd in the world and fourth in the continent, amassing 307 points.
Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw has dropped two spots to 90th in the world and fifth in Africa, with 208 points.
In contrast, Nigerian duo Omotayo Olajide and Bode Abiodun have made significant improvements in their rankings, moving up by 264 and 294 spots, respectively, to secure the 104th and 146th positions.
Meanwhile, Taiwo Mati, Amadi Omeh, Azeez Solanke, and Riliwan Akanbi have experienced declines in the latest men’s rankings. Mati, aged 17, is now ranked 92nd in the world, while Omeh, who has dropped four spots, is now placed 169th. Akanbi has also slipped four spots to 273rd, while Solanke has fallen two spots to 286th.
