Aruna Quadri rewrites African history in Doha

Niyi Iyanda 04:27 - 31 March 2022

Table tennis star Aruna Quadri has advanced to the WTT Star Contender championships in Doha

Aruna Quadri defeated China's Zhou Qihao 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7) to advance to the Men’s Singles semi-final of the WTT Star Contender.

Nigerian Table tennis star Aruna Quadri has added to his revered status by becoming the first African table tennis player to advance to the Semifinals of the World Table Tennis Star Contender competition.

Quadri had already made easy work of Chinese opponents before this quarter-final clash with Zhou Qihao, defeating two other Chinese athletes in the rounds of 16 and 32. Against his Asian opponent, Africa's number one Table Tennis player ran away with three straight sets to reach the semi-finals.

Aruna Quadri reacting to securing his Semi final place

In winning, Quadri now holds the distinction of being the first African to reach the semifinals.

Quadri, ranked 14th in the world, has a good chance of winning the championship if he defeats South Korea's Lim Jonghoon on Thursday March 31 in Doha.