Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna put on a masterclass performance at the ongoing World Table Tennis (WTT) Championship in Frankfurt, Germany, proving once again why he’s one of Africa’s finest in the sport. Facing off against Tomokazu Harimoto, Japan’s formidable No. 5 seed, Aruna initially appeared on the back foot. Losing the first two sets, the odds were heavily stacked against him, and for many, the match seemed all but over. However, Aruna had no intention of bowing out without a fight.
In a dramatic turnaround, Aruna began the third set with a renewed vigor, launching a series of tactical plays and powerful shots that left Harimoto struggling to keep up. He clinched the third set 11-5, marking a shift in momentum. The fourth set was even more intense, with both players battling for each point. Aruna showed incredible mental resilience, eventually taking the set 14-12 and leveling the match at 2-2. With the match on the line, Aruna’s confidence was unshakeable in the fifth and final set, where he dominated Harimoto to win 11-3, sealing his victory with a stunning 3-2 comeback (7-11, 11-13, 11-5, 14-12, 11-3).
This comeback performance earned Aruna a well deserved place in the tournament’s round of 16, where he will now face either Spain’s Alvaro Robles or Germany’s Richardo Walther. With his sights set on advancing further, Aruna’s victory against Harimoto has already sent a message to his future opponents: he is back to his best and ready to go the distance. The whole of Nigeria and table tennis fans worldwide will undoubtedly be cheering him on as he continues his journey in Frankfurt.