It’s yet another record breaking ground for Nigeria and Africa No. 1, Aruna Quadri as he became the first African to reach the last eight of the ITTF World Championship in USA.
The Oyo born veteran player saw off Sweden’s Kristian Karlsson in the round of 16, in a seven games thriller 4-3 (11-9, 5-11, 13-11, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 11-6) to clinch a quarterfinals spot.
Unlike his last two games where he had to come from 3 sets down to emerge victorious, this time the 13th seed took the 1st set although he lost the 2nd set to the Swede.
Quadri took the third before losing the fourth and fifth sets to Karlsson.
The Nigerian then put up a massive show to clinch the sixth and seventh sets to match into the historic quarter finals.
Before now, no Africa player has ever reach the round of 16 at the World Championship, Aruna has now surpassed his own record.
“It means a lot to me,” he said, “especially for NIGERIA & the whole of Africa. Table tennis is growing very fast in Africa.”
He’ll face off with another Swede in Truls Moregard in the quarter finals witt his eyes set on yet another record.
MOLATsportgist 