This was made known in a statement by the African Table Tennis Federation, ATTF, on Tuesday.

It stated that Aruna, the top seed still fresh from his exploits at the WTT Saudi Smash, was again unstoppable with a commanding win in the final against Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali.

The one-sided final saw Aruna effortlessly take down the Egyptian with a 4-0 (11-5, 11-6, 12-10, 11-3) win to emerge as the new Africa Cup champion after losing the title to Egypt’s Omar Assar in 2018.

“There was never an easy win in any competition, and I am happy that I gave my best and my best resulted in the victory.

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“It has always been in me not to give up, even when I am down, and I am happy that all my hard work paid off with the victory.

“I must commend Rwanda for providing good facilities and their hospitality for us, the players, and I look forward to returning again to this beautiful country,” Aruna said.

Like Aruna, Meshref was at her best after coming back from 2-0 down to defeat her compatriot, Mariam Alhodaby, 4-3 to become the new Africa Cup champion after losing the last two editions in the final.

A relieved Meshref described the victory as crucial, particularly coming back from injury.

“I am happy that I was able to come back, especially coming back from an injury I sustained before the tournament.

“I must thank my family and my mother, who sacrificed to be with me in Rwanda.

“It was a tough win for me here in this beautiful country of Rwanda, and I will cherish this moment for a very long time to come,” she said.

The tournament has over 50 players from 14 countries taking part as players brace up for the African Olympic Qualification Tournament, which begins on May 16 and ends on May 18.

Source: NAN

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Aruna gained points in his quarter final finish at the World Table-Tennis, WTT, Finals, which earned him the 14th position in the latest ITTF ranking.

The African champion caused one of the biggest upsets at the WTT Finals, Doha 2023.

This was after he came from 0-2 down to beat world number five Hugo Calderano of Brazil 3-2 and book his place in the quarter finals of the year-ending tournament held in Qatar.

Aruna who was ranked 16th before the WTT Finals gained 265 points after his quarter final finish in Doha.

This improved his world rating points to 1,425 ahead of 15th placed Darko Jorgic of Slovenia who has 1,340 points.

Also, WTT has listed Aruna’s 2023 triumph over former world number five Tomokazu Harimoto among the five biggest upsets of the outgone year.

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This was after the Nigerian stunned the Japanese 3-0 to reach the quarter final stage of the Singapore Smash in 2023.

“I am working hard this year so that I can achieve more successes and continue to shoot up my ranking.

“This will enable me secure my qualification to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Aruna was quoted on the WTT website as saying.

Meanwhile, Aruna has been listed alongside Egypt’s Omar Assar among the top 20 players that will start their campaign from the main draw of the 2024 WTT Star Contender.

The tournament which served off on Monday with the preliminary round will end on Saturday at the Lusail Sports Arena in Doha, Qatar with a prize money of 250,000 dollars.

Source: NAN

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The quarterfinals game at the Lusail Sports Arena on Thursday saw the Chinese dominate the game.

Aruna, the World number 16, came close in the second set but Fan showed class and claimed victory.

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The Nigerian had earlier defeated World number five, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano 3-2 in the Round of 16 before facing Fan in the Quarter finals.

The World number one will meet his compatriot Lin Gaoyuan, world number seven in the semi finals on Friday.

The tournament expected to end on Friday has a prize money of 340,000 US dollars.

Source: NAN

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The quarter finals game played at the Infinity arena on Friday, saw the Nigerian succumb (11-7, 12-10, 11-2, 11-2) to Caldenaro.

This ends the journey at the tournament for Africa’s top player, having earlier defeated Japanese Tomokazu Harimo 3-0 in the Round of 16.

The WTT ranked number 14th player also beat Alexis Lebrun from France 3-2 in the Round of 32 as well as Germany’s Ruwen Filus 3-2 in the Round of 64.

This outcome means no African is left in the contest, having witnessed the early exit of  Egypt’s quartet of Omar Assar, Dina Meshref, Hana Goda and Marian Alhodaby.

Source: NAN

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