Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri Concludes 2025 As Africa’s Top-Ranked Table Tennis Player

According to official rankings released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has finished 2025 as Africa’s number one table tennis player. Quadri, who has dominated the continental standings throughout the year, secured the 28th spot globally with 1,065 ranking points, making him the only African male player to surpass the 1,000-point mark in the latest rankings.

Egypt’s Omar Assar followed as the continent’s second-highest player, ranked 32nd in the world with 965 points.

At 37, Quadri compiled his points across a busy international calendar, highlighted by his runner-up finish at the ITTF African Cup in Tunis, earning him 350 crucial points. He also reached the semi-finals of the WTT Star Contender in Doha and advanced to the last 16 at the World Table Tennis Championships, also held in Qatar.

Additional contributions to his ranking came from top-tier events including the Singapore Smash, United States Smash, and WTT Champions tournaments in Macao, Chongqing, Incheon, Yokohama, and Frankfurt, alongside multiple appearances at WTT Contender and Star Contender competitions.

Quadri’s consistency throughout the year cemented his position as Africa’s leading table tennis figure, showcasing his longevity and resilience in a sport dominated by Asian and European players. Globally, China continues to set the standard, with Wang Chuqin leading the men’s rankings ahead of Lin Shidong, while Brazil’s Hugo Calderano remains the top non-Asian player in third place.

Quadri’s accomplishment adds to a distinguished career that includes three Olympic appearances (2012, 2016, 2020), a quarter-final finish at Rio 2016, and a historic entry into the world’s top ten in May 2022. He was named ITTF Star Player of the Year in 2014, won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal, and is recognized as Africa’s most successful Olympic table tennis player.