Quadri Aruna, a table tennis sensation from Oyo State, Nigeria, has achieved the coveted position of Africa’s number one player. The latest global rankings from the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) show Aruna surpassing Egypt’s Omar Assar to claim the top spot.
The updated rankings, released on Tuesday, place Aruna at 18th worldwide with 1,290 points, a climb of one position from his previous ranking. This achievement follows Aruna’s impressive performance as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, along with consistent strong showings in various World Table Tennis (WTT) events throughout the year.
Aruna distinguished himself as the only African male player to reach the semifinals of the WTT Contender in Doha, a feat he duplicated from his success in 2023. His continued excellence on the international circuit has been crucial in propelling him to the top of the African rankings.
This accomplishment marks a shift at the top, with Aruna overtaking Assar, who had been crowned the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup champion just two weeks prior. Assar, formerly ranked 17th, now holds the 19th position with 1,250 points.
