Nigeria’s top table tennis star, Quadri Aruna, has exited the 2025 International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Championships in Doha, Qatar, after a disappointing straight-sets loss to Brazil’s Hugo Calderano in the fourth round of the men’s singles.
The highly anticipated encounter, which took place on Thursday at the Lusail Arena, ended in a surprisingly one-sided affair. Calderano dominated the match from start to finish, cruising to a 4-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-4, 11-6) victory in just 22 minutes to seal his place in the quarterfinals.
Although billed as one of the most exciting matchups of the tournament, the game didn’t live up to expectations from the Nigerian perspective. Calderano, ranked among the world’s top players, effectively shut down Aruna’s usually dangerous forehand, forcing him into uncomfortable backhand rallies that yielded little success.
Despite the encouragement and tactical guidance from his coaching team, Aruna could not find his rhythm. The 35-year-old committed several unforced errors throughout the match, which made it even easier for the Brazilian to assert control.
Calderano’s sharp backhand, aggressive positioning, and explosive forehand topspin proved too much for Aruna, who was on the back foot for most of the match. Each set followed a similar pattern—Calderano establishing early leads and maintaining pressure with precise shot placement and consistent pace.
This marks a premature end to what had been a promising run for Aruna, who remains Africa’s top-ranked table tennis player and the only African to have ever reached the top 16 at the ITTF World Championships. Despite the defeat, his performance continues to highlight his resilience and talent on the global stage.
While the result is disappointing for fans of Nigerian table tennis, Aruna’s presence in the tournament’s later rounds again underscores the progress African players are making in a sport traditionally dominated by Asian and European countries.
The 2025 ITTF World Championships have attracted the best talent from across the globe, and Aruna’s performance reaffirms his position as one of the most consistent non-Asian contenders in the men’s game. His ability to qualify for and compete at such a high level speaks volumes about the growth of table tennis in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Though this year’s title dream has ended, Aruna is expected to shift focus to upcoming international competitions, including the African Table Tennis Championships and qualification rounds for the 2026 ITTF World Cup.
Aruna’s journey may have ended in Doha, but his legacy as a trailblazer for African table tennis continues to grow.
