Nigeria’s table tennis icon, Quadri Aruna, will headline the nation’s campaign at the 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals, set for May 16-25 in Doha, Qatar, as Africa seeks its first-ever medal at the prestigious event.
The tournament will feature Nigerian athletes competing in men’s and women’s singles and doubles events.Aruna, ranked 20th globally and seeded 19th, is Nigeria’s top medal prospect in the men’s singles.
The 36-year-old, who became the first African to reach the quarterfinals in 2021, kicks off his quest in the Round of 128 against Brazil’s Vitor Ishiy on May 17. Joining him are Olajide Omotayo (103rd), Muizz Adegoke (203rd), and 19-year-old Matthew Kuti (207th), who will face Brazil’s Leonardo Iizuka, Belgium’s Adrien Rassenfosse, and Poland’s Samuel Kulczycki, respectively, on May 18.
In the women’s singles, Fatimo Bello (91st) leads Nigeria’s charge but faces a tough opener against India’s world number 22, Manika Batra. Ajoke Ojomu (198th) meets Sally Moyland of the United States, while Hope Udoaka (301st) takes on Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi on May 17.
Nigeria will also field two men’s doubles, two women’s doubles, and two mixed doubles pairs, aiming to make a mark in the team events.