Nigerian Sensation Returns For WTT Star Contender In Bangkok

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Quadri Aruna is back in action at the WTT Star Contender Bangkok 2024 in Thailand after missing the WTT Contender events in Lagos and Tunis last month.

Aruna aims to bolster his ranking points ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games as one of the top seeds in the men’s singles,

Currently ranking 16th by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), he could secure a spot among the top 16 seeds in the men’s singles in Paris, with only two of the five top-ranked Chinese players competing.

Quadri stands out as the sole African star competing against a star-studded line-up in Bangkok Ta king place at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.

Having missed the 2023 edition of the Lagos event, he was scheduled to compete at the second edition of the Lagos event, which was held at the Molade Okoya-Thoma Hall at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, but he withdrew days before the tournament.

The Deputy President of the ITTF Africa and the Chairman of the LOC, Wahid Oshodi, explained that the player was preparing himself for the Olympics.

“He (Aruna Quadri) has been advised not to participate in WTT Contender Lagos, but the physio as a precautionary measure to avoid injury due to his body,” Mr. Oshodi said.

“Aruna is currently preparing for the biggest event, which is the Olympics.

“He is 35 years old now, so he does not have much time remaining to win an Olympic medal. He is currently working hard with experienced Segun Toriola (head coach of the Nigerian table tennis team) in preparation for the upcoming Olympics.”

World No. 36, Canada’s Edward Ly, is one of the athletes joining Aruna in Bangkok.

Ly’s 2024 journey includes his WTT Champions debut, and he has continued his ascent in the rankings.

Edward Ly  rose to 36 spot from the top 300 within a year is as inspiring as remarkable.

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