TABLE TENNIS:- Aruna ends 2025 as Africa’s No. 1
Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has finished 2025 as Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player in the final yearly rankings released on Tuesday by the International Table Tennis Federation.
Quadri, who has held the continental number one position for most of the year, closed the season ranked 28th in the world with 1,065 points, making him the only African player to surpass the 1,000-point mark on the men’s rankings.
Egypt’s Omar Assar is next best on the continent, sitting 32nd globally with 965 points in the rankings published as 2026 Week 1.
The 37-year-old Nigerian accumulated his ranking points across a demanding international schedule, highlighted by a finalist finish at the ITTF African Cup in Tunis, which earned him 350 points.
He also reached the semi-finals of the WTT Star Contender in Doha and made the last 16 at the world table tennis championships finals, also held in Doha.
Further contributions came from appearances at major events including the Singapore Smash, United States Smash, WTT Champions tournaments in Macao, Chongqing, Incheon, Yokohama and Frankfurt, as well as several WTT contender and star contender events.
Quadri’s consistency across the calendar ensured he remained Africa’s leading player throughout the year, which underlines his longevity at the top of the sport on the continent despite intense global competition dominated by Asian and European players.
