ATTF lauds Aruna’s feat at Singapore Smash

• Akingbemisilu wins silver medal at ITTF Masters Para Open

President of Africa Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Khaled El-Salhy, has commended Quadri Aruna for his exploits at the just-ended World Table Tennis (WTT) Singapore Smash.

Aruna made it to the quarterfinals of the Grand Smash series in Singapore, beating some top seeds on the way to becoming the first African to reach that stage at the WTT.

Remarkable was the Nigerian top seed’s defeat of Japanese star, Tomokazu Harimoto, who had beaten Aruna on three occasions. The Nigerian eventually fell 4-0 to the superiority power of World number four, Brazil’s Hugo Calderano.

For reaching the quarterfinals in Singapore, Aruna will earn 350 ranking points, which will also raise his rating at the next ranking by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

El-Salhy stated that the Nigerian has continued to set the pace for Africa at the Olympics, World Championships and now WTT.

“Congratulations for your fantastic show-up in Singapore, especially for the great win in the round of 16 against Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto to qualify for the quarterfinal.

“I will like just to pass to you my full appreciation on behalf of the ATTF Executive Council (EC) as the main ambassador of African table tennis in ITTF super events. We wish you to continue to make the continent proud and a great ambassador of your country and Africa,” he said.

Again, Aruna has been picked to compete in the world elite table tennis stars, WTT Champions $800,000 prize money in Xinxiang, China next month.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Para Table Tennis team arrived from Italy, yesterday, where it featured at the ITTF Lignano Masters Para Open 2023. The team won two silver and bronze medals.

Bolawa Akingbemisilu, who made his presence felt in his maiden international outing by winning a silver medal in class-five division, said: “I’m happy and excited to win a silver medal in my first tournament. This will go a long way in my career and by now, I know my level and how to train hard for future tournaments.

“We really appreciate Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for sponsoring us to the tournament, which is part of the qualifying events for the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Right now, some of us have already gathered some points.”