Best Nigerian Table Tennis players of all time

Table Tennis is one of those least talked about sports in Nigeria that has nevertheless continued to grow and produce some proud and memorable moments for the country.

Some of the best sportsmen and women from Nigeria have come from Table Tennis with names like Aruna Quadri, Segun Toriola, Olajide Omotayo, and Offiong Edem just to name a few.

Lovers of Table Tennis have watched these super humans entertain them on the table for years and generations. But who has been the best and greatest players to have played the game of the table in Nigeria?

Here is a list of the Top 5 Best Nigerian table tennis players of all time:

While many believe she should retire as she is way past her best, Olufunke Oshonaike remains one of Nigeria's best, currently ranked at number 3.

Born in Lagos, Oshonaike started in the suburbs of Somolu and went on to become a veteran of the Olympics having represented Nigeria and Africa at the global showpiece seven (7) times.

Oshonaike has seven (7) gold medals, six (6) silver medals and four (4) medals to her name all from the All African Games to justify her inclusion on the Greatest Nigerian Table Tennis players of all time.

Coming in at number four is another Lagos-born star, Bose Kaffo, who may not be a household name for many.

Kaffo is a five-time Olympiad, tied with the golden lady herself, Mary Onyali, from Athletics. 

Kaffo is a multiple All-African Games champion, with seven (7) gold medals to her illustrious name from 1987 to 2008. She is also a mixed doubles champion with another legendary player, Atanda Musa.

Born 48 years ago in Ilorin, Kwara State, Segun Toriola is one of the best to have played the game not just from Nigeria but in Africa. He makes it to the Top 3 best Nigerian Table Tennis players of all time by all counts.

Since 1995, he has dominated the Table Tennis scene in the country and remained a dominant force in the continent as well.

The former Nigerian and African number 1 (on multiple occasions) remains one of Nigeria's most decorated in the game. He is also one of just two to have competed at the Olympics seven times.

Aruna Quadri is one of the names on this list that needs little or no introduction given his current standing as one of the best table tennis players in Nigeria, Africa and the world.

Same as Toriola, who used to be his partner in the Men's doubles, Aruna Quadri is the current darling of Table Tennis in Nigeria and Africa.

Currently ranked number 11 in the ITTF world rankings, Aruna peaked at number 10 in May, becoming the first and only Africa to gatecrash into the Top 10 ITTF world rankings ever.

Aruna is also an Olympic quarterfinalist and has set several records including becoming the only African to make it to the last four of WTT Star Contender in Doha, Qatar.

Before the duo of Aruna and Toriola, Atanda Musa was the biggest shining light in Nigeria's table tennis courts.

Aged 62 (now), Atanda is regarded as one of the greatest (if not the greatest) table tennis stars from Nigeria.

He remains one of the most decorated players ever, with multiple Commonwealth gold medals in the singles and mixed doubles events. He is also a 10-time African Singles champion and peaked at number 20 in the ITTF world rankings during his prime.

Another worthy mention is Kasali Lasisi, the former national, African, and Commonwealth champion. Lasisi began his journey in 1965 before saying goodbye to the game in 1981. He is also the former captain of the Nigerian Table Tennis team. 

In the Women's singles, Offiong Edem, current number 2 and number one ranked Fatimo Bello, are the ladies holding it down at the moment.