Africa’s table tennis titans are ready to serve up history—and leading the charge is none other than Quadri Aruna, Nigeria’s most decorated table tennis star.
With the 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals set to take over Doha, Qatar from May 16 to 25,Team Nigeria eyes a breakthrough on the world’s biggest stage.
Aruna, currently ranked 20th in the world and seeded 19th for the tournament, will spearhead Nigeria’s medal push in the men’s singles, aiming to eclipse his historic 2021 quarterfinal feat, which remains the best by any African at the event.
Aruna Leads the Charge in Men’s Singles
At 36, Aruna is more determined than ever to bring home a medal and inspire a new generation. His first test comes on Saturday, May 17, in the Round of 128 against Vitor Ishiy of Brazil, a seasoned South American contender.
Joining Aruna in the men’s singles are:
Olajide Omotayo (WR 103) – vs. Leonardo Iizuka (Brazil)
Muizz Adegoke (WR 203) – vs. Adrien Rassenfosse (Belgium)
Matthew Kuti (WR 207) – vs. Samuel Kulczycki (Poland)
All three are in action on Sunday, May 18.
Africa’s Queenpin: Bello Heads Women’s Campaign
In the women’s singles, Nigeria will be banking on Fatimo Bello (WR 91), the country’s highest-ranked female player, who is drawn against Manika Batra (WR 22) of India in what promises to be a thrilling clash on May 17.
She is joined by:
Ajoke Ojomu (WR 198) – vs. Sally Moyland (USA)
Hope Udoaka (WR 301) – vs. Giulia Takahashi (Brazil), also on May 17
Double the Trouble: Nigeria’s Duo Battles
Nigeria will also feature prominently in the doubles events, fielding teams across men’s, women’s, and mixed categories:
Men’s Doubles:
Adegoke / Abdulbasit Abdulfatai – CPR 115
Omotayo / Kuti – CPR 124
Women’s Doubles:
Bello / Udoaka – CPR 247
Ojomu / Kabirat Ayoola – CPR 705
Mixed Doubles:
Ojomu / Kuti – CPR 213
Omotayo / Ayoola – CPR 984
Why Doha 2025 Matters
This year’s World Championships mark more than another competition—it’s a continental mission.
No African player has ever won a medal at the ITTF Worlds, and Nigeria is carrying that dream into Qatar with unmatched pride and hunger.
Aruna’s legendary run in Houston 2021 and his Olympic upset over Germany’s Timo Boll in Rio 2016 are still etched in memory.
Nigeria at the 2025 ITTF World Championships Finals
Venue: Doha, Qatar
Dates: May 16–25, 2025
Quadri Aruna (World No. 20, Seeded 19)
Africa’s top-ranked player
Historic quarterfinalist in 2021 (first African to reach that stage)
Opens campaign vs. Vitor Ishiy (Brazil) – Saturday, May 17
Men’s Singles Entrants:
Olajide Omotayo (WR 103) – vs. Leonardo Iizuka (Brazil)
Muizz Adegoke (WR 203) – vs. Adrien Rassenfosse (Belgium)
Matthew Kuti (WR 207) – vs. Samuel Kulczycki (Poland)
Matches: Sunday, May 18
Women’s Singles Entrants:
Fatimo Bello (WR 91) – vs. Manika Batra (India, WR 22) – May 17
Ajoke Ojomu (WR 198) – vs. Sally Moyland (USA)
Hope Udoaka (WR 301) – vs. Giulia Takahashi (Brazil) – May 17
Doubles Representation:
Men’s Doubles
Adegoke / Abdulfatai – CPR 115
Omotayo / Kuti – CPR 124
Women’s Doubles
Bello / Udoaka – CPR 247
Ojomu / Ayoola – CPR 705
Mixed Doubles
Ojomu / Kuti – CPR 213
Omotayo / Ayoola – CPR 984
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