The journey of Nigeria’s top star Aruna Quadri came to an end in the Round of 16 at the ongoing 2025 World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, as he fell to Brazil’s world-class talent Hugo Calderano in a tightly contested match.
Quadri, who had earlier stunned Germany’s Benedikt Duda in the Round of 32, put up a strong fight but was ultimately outplayed by Calderano’s speed and precision. The Brazilian proved too sharp on the day, halting Quadri’s inspiring run and ending Africa’s hopes in the men’s singles draw.
In another notable result, France’s teenage sensation Felix Lebrun also saw his campaign end in the Round of 16. Despite high expectations and an impressive tournament so far, the young star couldn’t overcome his opponent AN Jaehyun of South Korea , marking a learning moment in his rapid rise on the world stage.
Meanwhile, China’s new powerhouse and world number one, LIN Shidong, continued his dominant form. He cruised past Sweden’s Anton Källberg in straight sets, 4-0, showcasing his relentless pace and precision. With this win, LIN advances to the quarterfinals, where he remains the favorite for the title.

As the championship heads into its final stages, the spotlight now shifts to the elite eight, with giants like LIN Shidong pushing forward and surprises still unfolding. While Quadri’s exit closes a chapter for Nigeria, his strong performance reaffirms his status as one of the world’s top competitors.