Quadri Aruna Kicks Off ITTF World Cup Campaign With Win

Nigerian table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, began his 2025 ITTF World Cup campaign in Macao, China, with a 3-1 victory over Benin’s Abdel-Kader Salifou.

The match, which was a rematch of their previous ITTF African Cup encounter, was a thrilling contest with plenty of momentum changes.

Aruna stayed composed, especially in critical moments when Salifou mounted a strong challenge. The Nigerian player managed to hold his ground and secure the win with scores of 11-6, 11-9, 6-11, and 11-8.

“It’s always challenging to play the first match in such events,” Aruna said after the win. “Establishing a 2-0 lead gave me confidence. Although he fought back strongly in the third and fourth games, I managed to stay calm and finish it off. I’m pleased with how I performed today.”

Aruna, ranked 20th in the world, showed his resilience, especially in the fourth game when he recovered from an 8-6 deficit to secure the match. His performance sets him up well as he aims to progress through the group stage in the World Cup’s new format.

Salifou, who was competing in his second international event for Benin after a five-year break, played with determination despite the loss. “I had opportunities to level the match, leading 8-6 in the fourth. I appreciate Aruna’s ability to rally back, and I will continue to strive for improvement in my next match,” he commented.

In other notable matches, Egypt’s Hana Goda dominated Malaysia’s Seak Hui Li, winning 4-0 with scores of 11-2, 11-4, 11-4, and 11-8. This victory came after her recent African Cup success. Dina Meshref, in her eighth World Cup appearance, also started strong with a 3-1 win (11-9, 11-9, 11-5, 6-11) against Zhu Chengzhu.

Japan’s Hiroto Shinozuka, Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar, and China’s Huang Youzheng also delivered impressive straight-set wins on the first day of the competition. Meanwhile, Eugene Wang’s 2-2 draw against Yukiya Uda added a surprising twist to the day’s events.
Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG