Nigeria’s table tennis icon, Quadri Aruna, suffered a harsh reality check at the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025, bowing out in the round of 32 after a comprehensive 3-0 defeat to world No. 2 Wang Chuqin of China on Wednesday.
Despite entering the tournament with high hopes, Aruna, ranked 19th in the world, was outclassed by his Chinese opponent in a one-sided contest at the Infinity Arena in Huaxi.
Wang, cheered on by the home crowd, secured his spot in the next round with a dominant straight-game victory (11-6, 13-11, 11-7).
Aruna Struggles as Wang Chuqin Proves Too Strong
The match was a stark reminder of the gap between Africa’s best and the world’s elite. Wang wasted no time establishing control, dictating the tempo and punishing Aruna with precise, rapid-fire attacks.
The Nigerian showed signs of resistance in the second game, pushing Wang to a tense deuce (13-11), but the Chinese star’s ice-cold composure and tactical precision shut down any hopes of a comeback.
Match Statistics Highlight Wang’s Superiority
Wang won 35 points in total, while Aruna managed only 24.
Aruna won just 14 points on his own serve and 10 on his opponent’s serve.
Wang’s maximum lead was five points, demonstrating his clear control.
The Chinese sensation strung together five consecutive points at one stage, leaving Aruna with no response.
This was the first-ever WTT meeting between the two players, but Aruna’s experience and tactical versatility failed to trouble Wang, who fed off the energy of the home crowd to secure an easy win.
Tough Outing for Africa’s Best
Aruna’s exit is part of a difficult start for African players in this prestigious $800,000 tournament.
Omar Assar (Egypt, World No. 17) was also eliminated in the round of 32, suffering a 3-0 defeat to Germany’s world No. 9, Dang Qiu.
In the women’s category, Egypt’s Dina Meshref (World No. 33) fell 3-1 to South Korea’s Kim Nayeong (World No. 39).
Aruna had hoped to carry momentum from his recent runner-up finish at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup in Tunisia, where he lost to Assar in the final.
However, his campaign in China ended abruptly, showing that he still has work to do to compete with the very best on the global stage.
Hana Goda Carries Africa’s Hopes
With Aruna and Assar out, African hopes now rest on Egypt’s teenage sensation, Hana Goda.
The 17-year-old prodigy faces South Korea’s Shin Yubin on Thursday, hoping to avoid a third consecutive round of 32 exit at a major event.
Goda, who recently reclaimed her ITTF Africa Cup title with a 4-2 comeback win over Meshref, will be looking to keep Africa’s flag flying in Chongqing.
What’s Next for Aruna?
Aruna will now shift his focus to preparing for the 2025 Paris Olympics, where he aims to make history for Nigeria and African table tennis.
While this defeat is a setback, he remains Africa’s highest-ranked player and will look to bounce back stronger in upcoming WTT events.
