Team Nigeria’s talisman Aruna Quadri delivered a sensational performance at the ongoing 2025 World Table Tennis Championships Finals in Doha, defeating world number 13 Benedikt Duda of Germany 4-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 encounter.
In a match filled with momentum swings and electrifying rallies, Quadri showed his trademark power and resilience to edge past the left-handed German 11-9, 4-11, 11-8, 2-11, 12-10, 11-8. The match saw both players trading sets, but it was the Nigerian who rose to the occasion in the fifth and sixth games, showcasing remarkable composure under pressure.
With the victory, Aruna now marches into the Round of 16, where he will face the winner of the clash between Kirill Gerassimenko of Kazakhstan and Brazilian star Hugo Calderano. The stakes continue to rise, but so does Aruna’s confidence as he remains Africa’s sole representative in the men’s singles draw.
Meanwhile, the day also witnessed a major upset as Simon Gauzy of France shocked China’s Lin Gaoyuan, toppling the title contender in a tightly contested battle. Gauzy’s victory sent ripples through the tournament and further emphasized the growing unpredictability and depth of talent at this year’s championship.
As the action intensifies in Doha, Aruna Quadri’s dream run continues to inspire, with Nigerian and African fans rallying behind him in hopes of a historic breakthrough.
