Aruna powers into fourth round at ITTF World Championships

Nigeria’s table tennis icon Quadri Aruna reinforced his elite reputation at the 2025 ITTF World Championships with a gritty 4-2 triumph over Germany’s Benedikt Duda yesterday, booking his place in the fourth round of the Men’s Singles in Doha, Qatar. Competing inside the vibrant Lusail Hall, Aruna delivered a pulsating performance against the left-handed Duda, […]

Nigeria’s table tennis icon Quadri Aruna reinforced his elite reputation at the 2025 ITTF World Championships with a gritty 4-2 triumph over Germany’s Benedikt Duda yesterday, booking his place in the fourth round of the Men’s Singles in Doha, Qatar.

Competing inside the vibrant Lusail Hall, Aruna delivered a pulsating performance against the left-handed Duda, showcasing both skill and resilience. The win also makes Aruna the last African standing in the Men’s Singles following the exit of Egypt’s Omar Assar in the second round on Monday.

Despite a 1-2 record in previous meetings with Duda, the Nigerian star came out strong, taking the opening set 11-9. Duda hit back emphatically in the second, winning 11-4 to level the match. Aruna responded with a tactical shift in the third, targeting Duda’s forehand to reclaim the lead 11-8.

A controversial service fault call in the fourth set proved costly, as Aruna appeared unsettled and lost 11-2. But the African number one showed tremendous character in the fifth. Down 3-9, he rallied back to 9-9 and edged the set 12-10 in a dramatic turnaround that electrified the crowd Buoyed by the momentum, Aruna maintained his intensity in the sixth, combining blistering forehand loops with precision placement to seal the match 11-9 and complete a hard-earned 4-2 victory.

Commentators hailed Aruna’s tactical acumen and mental fortitude, noting his ability to absorb pressure and execute under challenging conditions. The win propels him into the tournament’s last 16, where he will look to continue his quest for a historic podium finish for Nigeria and Africa.