Quadri Aruna leads Nigeria’s medal bid at ITTF World Championships
By Olaolu Joseph
Nigeria will aim to secure its first-ever medal at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships as its top players prepare for the 2025 edition of the tournament, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from May 17 to 25.
As expected, Africa’s highest-ranked player, Quadri Aruna, will lead the charge. Ranked 20th in the world and seeded 19th for the championship, the 36-year-old remains Nigeria’s strongest medal hopeful. He made history in 2021 by becoming the first African to reach the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Aruna begins his campaign in the Round of 128 against Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy on Saturday, May 17.
Also representing Nigeria in the men’s singles are Olajide Omotayo (ranked 103rd), Muizz Adegoke (203rd), and rising star Matthew Kuti (207th). Omotayo faces Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka, Adegoke takes on Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse, and Kuti meets Poland’s Samuel Kulczycki—all scheduled for Sunday, May 18.
In the women’s singles, Nigeria will be represented by world number 91 Fatimo Bello, Ajoke Ojomu (198th), and Hope Udoaka (301st). Bello will face a tough opening match against world number 22 Manika Batra of India, while Ojomu takes on the United States’ Sally Moyland. Udoaka begins her campaign against Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi on May 17.
Nigeria will also feature in the doubles events, fielding two men’s pairs, two women’s pairs, and two mixed doubles teams.
The country’s table tennis contingent hopes to make a strong impression in Qatar and possibly return with a historic medal.
