Aruna dominated throughout, winning 11–5, 12–10, 11–8, 11–9, with superior control and relentless attacking play against his Egyptian opponent.

“I stayed focused from the first point and executed my game plan perfectly. Every match here is tough, so consistency is vital,” Aruna said.

The Nigerian maintained a high tempo, denying Badr rhythm and reinforcing his reputation as one of Africa’s leading table tennis players.

Algeria’s Stephanie Ouaiche also reached the semi-finals after defeating Cameroon’s Batix Ylane 4–0 in their Men’s Singles quarter-final encounter.

Ouaiche controlled rallies and capitalised on crucial points to seal an emphatic straight-sets victory.

“I felt confident and patient today. My aim is to keep improving as the tournament progresses,” Ouaiche said.

Egypt’s Omar Assar advanced after overpowering Tunisia’s Essid Wassim 4–0, winning 11–9, 11–9, 11–7, 11–7 in another quarter-final.

In the girls’ quarter-finals, Egypt’s Hana Goda defeated Algeria’s Jade Morice 4–0, while Dina Meshref also secured a straight-sets victory over Tunisia’s Ela Saidi.

Algeria’s Tania Morice beat Tunisia’s Haj Salah Abir 4–0 to book her place in the semi-finals of the competition.

The championship continues in Benghazi with highly anticipated semi-final matches scheduled at the venue.

Source: NAN

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Aruna, Nigeria’s top-ranked table tennis player, dominated the round of 16 encounter, winning the match in straight games, 11-3, 11-4, 11-3, 11-1, to underline his superiority on the table.

The victory keeps Aruna in contention for honours at the continental championship, as he continues his matches with a strong finish at the tournament.

Algeria’s Stephanie Ouaiche, edges Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo 4-0 in the Men’s Singles round of 16 match.

Ouaiche, delivered a dominant performance to secure a straight-sets victory winning 11-6, 11-2, 11-4 and 11-8 .

The Algerian player controlled the tempo of the contest from the opening game, using sharp returns and consistent rallies to keep Omotayo under pressure.

The game saw Ouaiche advance to the quarter-finals of the competition while Omotayo bowed out in spite of showing resilience particularly in the fourth game.

In other round of 16 matches, Egypt’s Assar Omar overcome Banchat Marius of Morocco 4-0, 11-6, 11-2, 8-6, 11-6 while Essid wassim of Tunisia beat Salifou Abdel-kader of Benign (4-2) to reach the quarter-finals.

The tournament continues with more quarter-finals matches scheduled at the venue in Benghazi.

Source: NAN

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The eight-day tournament is ongoing at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

They defeated Tunisia’s Essid Wassim and Khaloufi Mohamed 3-1 (12-10, 11-7, 12-10, 12-10) to clinch the gold medal.

Abdulbasit and Kuti showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, outplaying their Tunisian opponents in a closely contested and entertaining match.

Essid and Khaloufi put up a strong fight but ultimately could not match the Nigerians’ precision and strategic play.

This victory marks a significant achievement for Nigerian table tennis, highlighting the country’s growing strength in the sport.

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The tournament features top young players from across Africa, providing a platform for emerging talent to shine brightly.

Nigeria’s table tennis team has performed well in the championship, with Abdulbasit and Kuti’s win adding to the country’s medal haul.

In another match, Egypt’s Abdelshakour Malak and Zaki Nour defeated Uganda’s Nakawala Jemimah and Nangonzi Judith 3-0 (11-8, 11-3, 11-8).

Speaking to NAN, Kuti said the win is a testament to their hard work, dedication and perseverance over the past months.

“We are grateful to our coaches, family, and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout our journey.

“We are thrilled to bring home the gold medal for Nigeria. This achievement will inspire young table tennis players nationwide.

“We will continue to work hard, pushing ourselves to excel in the sport. This victory fuels our passion for table tennis,” he said.

Their triumph has secured Nigeria’s spot at the 2025 World Youth Championships in Romania, reaffirming Nigeria’s place among Africa’s table tennis elite.

Source: NAN

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The tournament is holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Kuti overcame his compatriot Kolasi 4-2 (12-10, 11-9, 11-3, 5-11, 13-11, 14-12) in the men’s singles semifinal match.

In the other semifinal, Abdulfatai Abdubasit defeated Mati Taiwo 4-2 (7-11, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6).

Kuti and Abdubasit will now face off in the final of the men’s singles event.

Speaking with News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, at the venue, footballer, Ogenyi Onazi, emphasised the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance in sports success.

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“I am also a table tennis enthusiast. I came here to support and cheer on the players.

“We are all Nigerians. I’m here to promote sports in general and encourage the athletes,” Onazi said.

He described the tournament as exciting.

“I’ve been here for two days and witnessed impressive talent and competition.

“I believe the sport needs more media attention. I told the president it’s not well publicised in Nigeria.

“I only heard about the tournament during my training session in table tennis,” Onazi.

He said a bigger tournament was expected to start on Tuesday, July 22, which presents a great platform for young players.

“You can see many young talents here. We need to give more attention to this table tennis event,” Onazi said.

The finals of the men’s singles will take place later on Saturday.

Source: NAN

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The four-day championship is ongoing at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.

As the tournament advances, attention shifts to the finals of the team event, scheduled for Thursday.

One standout moment on the opening day came from Côte d’Ivoire’s Audrey Diama and Eve Ndah.

Although they did not win in the women’s event, their spirited play and technique showed great potential for future success.

Nigeria, as anticipated, dominated Group 1 with decisive wins over Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire.

Matthew Kuti, Taiwo Mati, and Abdulbasit Abdulfatai delivered strong performances, maintaining Nigeria’s top spot.

Following a walkover against Liberia, Nigeria’s men’s team returned to defeat Côte d’Ivoire 3-1, sealing a place in the semifinals.

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In Group 2, competition remains fierce among Ghana, Togo, Guinea, and Benin Republic.

The opening ceremony set the mood with a brief march-past and speeches from distinguished guests.

Teams from Ghana, Benin Republic, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Burkina Faso brought vibrancy to the occasion.

Ferdinand Sonou, Vice President of ITTF Africa West, thanked Nigeria and Lagos State for their hosting efforts.

He said, “I warmly thank Nigerian and Lagos State authorities, and the organisers, for their immense commitment to the success of this event.

“These championships go beyond sport. They celebrate unity, diversity, and the shared values of sportsmanship in West African table tennis.

“This Lagos edition is a key milestone. It represents our resolve to promote table tennis, preserve culture, and inspire athletes to achieve more while honouring tradition.”

In his welcome speech, NTTF president, Ishaku Tikon, represented by Secretary-General, Olusoji Akanmu, praised Lagos State’s consistent support.

He reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to driving table tennis development throughout the West African region.

Source: NAN

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The Nigerian star fell to Brazil’s Hugo Calderano in a one-sided Men’s Singles match at the Lusail Arena.

Touted as one of the tournament’s highlights, the clash failed to deliver drama, with Calderano asserting dominance from the very first point.

The Brazilian secured a commanding 4-0 win (11-4, 11-4, 11-4, 11-6), comfortably booking his place in the quarter-finals.

Calderano, tactically sharp, nullified Aruna’s powerful forehand by forcing him into backhand rallies, where the Nigerian proved less effective.

In spite of guidance and encouragement from his coaches, Aruna failed to find his rhythm, committing numerous unforced errors throughout the match.

The 22-minute encounter showcased Calderano’s sharp technique and explosive topspin strokes.

In spite of the result, Aruna continues to break new ground.

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At 36, he remains an icon of African table tennis.

He is now the first African to reach the ITTF World Championships Round of 16 on two occasions.

In Doha, Aruna was also the only African to finish among the top 16 players in the Men’s Singles.

After the match, Calderano praised Aruna’s quality and the challenge he presents at the top level.

Calderano said, “It’s difficult to maintain form after winning the ITTF World Cup last month.

“I needed rest, but returned focused. Against someone like Aruna, you must always bring your best game.”

Though his campaign ends in Doha, Aruna’s achievements continue to inspire across Nigeria and the African continent.

Source: NAN

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They will clash in the fourth round of the Men’s Singles at Lusail Arena, promising another high-stakes encounter between two continental table tennis icons.

Aruna and Calderano have earned legendary status through consistent global performances and their trademark never-say-die attitude at the table.

Both made history at the Rio 2016 Olympics, becoming the first from their continents to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals.

Since then, they have amassed multiple continental titles and broken into the ITTF world top 10.

Calderano is currently in superb form, arguably the best of his career.

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He recently won the 2025 ITTF World Cup in Macao, beating China’s top seeds, Wang Chuqin and Liang Jingkun.

That victory made Calderano the first South American to claim the prestigious World Cup title.

Aruna’s Doha campaign began with a dominant 4-0 win over Victor Ishiy, Calderano’s Brazilian compatriot.

He followed that with a thrilling 4-2 win against Norwegian left-hander Borgar Haug.

In the third round, Aruna defeated Germany’s Benedikt Duda 4-2 on Tuesday.

Calderano, like Aruna, started strong with a 4-1 win over Mexico’s Rogelio Castro.

He then cruised past Tunisia’s 2024 African Youth Champion, Wassim Essid, with a commanding 4-0 performance.

However, Kazakhstan’s Kirill Gerassimenko tested him in the third round.

Down 0-2, Calderano made key adjustments and fought back to win 4-2, booking a date with Aruna.

Speaking before the match, Calderano praised Aruna’s strength and tenacity.

He said, “Yeah, definitely Aruna is a very strong player. He’s been in the top 10 before, and everybody knows him.

“I will be ready for a big fight because he’s also a fighter, so it’s going to be very exciting.”

Source: NAN

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On a day when most African contenders bowed out on Day 3 of the global table tennis showpiece, Aruna pressed on with trademark grit and determination.

He advanced to the third round amidst loud support from African Table Tennis Federation President, Wahid Enitan Oshodi.

In a tense encounter at Qatar University, Aruna faced Norway’s Borgar Haug in what turned out to be one of the tournament’s most thrilling duels.

In spite of the Norwegian’s lower world ranking, the match was anything but predictable, highlighting that table tennis is won on the court—not on paper.

Aruna claimed the first set 11-7, but Haug responded fiercely with an 11-3 win in the second.

The back-and-forth battle continued with Aruna taking the third set 11-8, before Haug leveled again, winning the fourth 11-8.

Aruna’s powerful and precise serves gave him the edge in the fifth set, which he won 11-7.

The sixth and final set was a nail-biter.

Aruna led 9-7, but Haug fought back to tie at 9-9.

The Nigerian edged ahead to 10-9, only for the Norwegian to equalise once more at 10-10.

Drawing on experience and composure, Aruna secured the next two points to take the set 12-10 and seal the match 4-2—becoming the last African man standing in the competition.

At a nearby table, Egypt’s Omar Assar was edged out in a narrow 4-3 loss to Portugal’s Marcos Freitas (11-6, 8-11, 12-10, 3-11, 8-11, 11-8, 10-12), bowing out in the second round.

In the Women’s Singles, Madagascar’s 22-year-old sensation, Hanitra Raharimanana saw her fairytale run end in the second round after a 4-0 defeat (11-2, 11-8, 11-2, 11-4) to Germany’s Sabine Winter.

African teams experienced mixed outcomes in the Mixed Doubles event.

Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Kabirat Ayoola were eliminated in the second round by South Korean opponents.

However, Egypt’s Youssef Abdelaziz and Mariam Alhodaby progressed to the third round with a commanding 3-1 victory over their Italian counterparts.

Aruna will next face Germany’s Benedikt Duda, a familiar rival, in what promises to be another thrilling third-round clash as he continues his inspiring journey in Doha.

Source: NAN

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Oshodi, the Deputy President of ATTF and former Lagos State Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, was elected at the organisation’s elective annual general meeting on Tuesday, October 15, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

In a press statement issued by his media aide, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president noted that Oshodi’s election was a proud moment for Nigeria, reflecting the strong support he garnered in the lead-up.

He was nominated by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation, NTTF, and backed by several African nations, indicating the country’s unwavering support for its sports leaders.

He said Oshodi’s election was also a vote of confidence in a seasoned sports administrator who had committed his time, energy, and resources to develop table tennis at the grassroots level and demonstrated his integrity, accountability, and dedication in carrying out his responsibilities.

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“His commitment inspires all sports enthusiasts and is a hopeful sign for the future of table tennis,” the president said.

The president added that Oshodi would bring his extensive leadership experience to elevate ATTF and the sport to the next level of success across the continent.

Oshodi was President of NTTF, a member of the Board of Directors for the Commonwealth Table Tennis Federation, CTTF, and the current Executive Vice President of the International Table Tennis Federation, ITTF.

Oshodi’s distinguished career in sports administration began in 2000 when he was appointed to the Lagos State Sports Council Governing Board by then-Governor Bola Tinubu.

While serving as chairman of the Lagos State Table Tennis Association, LSTTA, Oshodi was appointed in 2011 by Governor Babatunde Fashola as Commissioner for Youth, Sports, and Social Development.

As commissioner, he oversaw the highly successful National Sports Festival, tagged “Eko 2012,” which further cemented his reputation for excellence in sports management.

While applauding Oshodi’s passion and commitment toward advancing table tennis at the local, national and continent levels, the Nigerian leader assured him of the country’s continued goodwill and necessary support to succeed in his new role.

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The ranking released on Tuesday by the world table tennis ruling body, saw Aruna move two places from the 20th spot and second in Africa from the ranking released in Week 21 to gaining 17th place.

However, Egypt’s Omar Assar slipped to 22 in the world rating after occupying the top spot in Africa in the last two months following his triumph at the last African Games in Ghana.

Aruna, who recently reclaimed the ITTF Africa Cup in Rwanda this month, rose by two steps up the ranking ladder to become the highest rated African in the world.

Assar’s drop in the world ranking was due to the expiration of the quarterfinal points he garnered at the Durban 2023 World Championships in South Africa.

This automatically made him lose some points that prompted his fall in the ranking.

While others are dropping from the pecking order of ranking, Aruna’s 1,240 points remain static and the freefall of others prompted his rise in the world ranking.

Africa’s biggest movers in May, Egyptian Mohamed El-Beiali, who became the third-best-ranked player in the continent after finishing as runner-up at the 2024 ITTF Africa Cup after a 4-0 loss to Aruna in Kigali, dropped to 49th in the world rating.

In spite dropping by a step, Egypt’s Dina Meshref held on to the top spot Africa as the 24th best player in the world in the women’s category.

Meshref’s compatriot, Hana Goda, remained static on second place in Africa but ranked 31st in the world.

Source: NAN

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