In the ongoing 2025 ITTF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s teenage sensation Hana Goda have emerged as Africa’s brightest hopes, after advancing to the third round of the singles events.
Aruna Outlasts Duda in Six-Set Thriller
Africa’s top-ranked male player, Quadri Aruna, showcased grit and elite composure in a tense 4-2 victory over Germany’s Benedikt Duda at Qatar University, keeping Nigeria’s medal dreams alive in the men’s singles.
In the previous round Quadri beat Norway’s Borgar Haug in a tense 4-2 victory.
The game’s highlights are:
Aruna took the opener 11-7,
Haug stunned him with an 11-3 reply,
They traded sets again (11-8, 7-11),
Before Aruna edged ahead in the fifth (11-7),
And sealed it in a pulsating sixth set 12-10 after fending off a late Norwegian comeback.
Goda Cruises Into Third Round with Commanding Win
In the women’s singles, 16-year-old Hana Goda continued her meteoric rise with a 4-1 win over Brazil’s Giulia Takahashi.
Despite losing the first set 9-11, the African champion fired back with four straight sets (11-4, 11-5, 11-7, 11-7), showcasing sharp footwork, quick counters, and tactical poise that belied her age.
Goda, who now faces tournament fourth seed Wang Yidi of China in a third-round matchup.
Goda’s win means she is now the last African woman standing in the singles draw.
African Contingent Thins Out
Egypt’s Omar Assar suffered a narrow 4-3 loss to Portugal’s Marcos Freitas, despite a spirited performance.
Madagascar’s Hanitra Raharimanana exited in straight sets against Germany’s Sabine Winter.
Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo and Kabirat Ayoola bowed out in the second round of the mixed doubles.
There was consolation for Egypt as Youssef Abdelaziz and Mariam Alhodaby marched into the third round of the mixed doubles, defeating their Italian opponents 3-1.
