DOHA, QATAR – Nigeria’s table tennis superstar, Quadri Aruna, is set to spearhead the nation’s challenge at the prestigious 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha. The tournament, running from May 16 to 25, sees Nigerian talents competing across singles and doubles in both men’s and women’s events, as Africa continues its hunt for a historic first medal. With Aruna leads Nigeria, anticipation is high.
Men’s Singles: Aruna’s Historic Bid Continues
All eyes will be on Quadri Aruna, ranked 20th globally and the 19th seed for this championship. The 36-year-old, who famously became the first African to reach the ITTF World Championships quarterfinals in 2021, remains Nigeria’s brightest medal prospect. His journey in Doha begins on Saturday, May 17, in the Round of 128 against Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy.
Joining Aruna in the men’s singles are:
- Olajide Omotayo (world rank 103) will face Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka.
- Muizz Adegoke (world rank 203) is pitted against Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse.
- Exciting teenage prospect Matthew Kuti (world rank 207) will meet Samuel Kulczycki of Poland. These three will commence their campaigns on Sunday, May 18.
Nigerian Women Step Up for World Championships Challenge
In the women’s singles, Nigeria will be represented by:
- Fatimo Bello, the nation’s top-ranked woman at world number 91, faces a tough opening match against India’s world number 22, Manika Batra.
- Ajoke Ojomu (world rank 198) takes on Sally Moyland of the United States.
- Hope Udoaka (world rank 301) starts her tournament against Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi on May 17.
Doubles Teams Ready for Action
Nigeria is also fielding strong contenders in the doubles categories:
- Men’s Doubles: Muizz Adegoke & Abdulbasit Abdulfatai (Combined Pair Ranking 115); Olajide Omotayo & Matthew Kuti (CPR 124).
- Women’s Doubles: Fatimo Bello & Hope Udoaka (CPR 247); Ajoke Ojomu & Kabirat Ayoola (CPR 705).
- Mixed Doubles: Ajoke Ojomu & Matthew Kuti (CPR 213); Olajide Omotayo & Kabirat Ayoola (CPR 984).
Aruna’s past heroics, including his iconic win over Timo Boll at the Rio 2016 Olympics and his Houston 2021 quarter-final run, fuel Nigeria’s ambitions. As Aruna leads Nigeria once more, the team, including promising young talents like Kuti and Udoaka, hopes to make a significant impact in Doha and push beyond previous quarter-final achievements.
By Kayode Ojo
