Nigerian table tennis champion, Aruna Quadri has been handed a daunting challenge at the WTT Champions Chongqing 2025, as he prepares to take on World No. 2 Wang Chuqin in the round of 32.
The blockbuster clash, set for Wednesday, will be Aruna’s first-ever faceoff with the Chinese powerhouse, making it a high-stakes encounter on unfamiliar territory.
The $800,000 tournament, which runs from March 11 to 16, brings together 32 of the best men’s and women’s singles players in a battle for early-season dominance.
However, for Quadri, the biggest battle might just be overcoming the relentless skill and home advantage of Chuqin, who is backed by a raucous Chinese crowd.
Can Aruna Quadri Stun the Table Tennis World?
Quadri, a seasoned competitor and Africa’s highest-ranked player, comes into this event after a heartbreaking runner-up finish at the ITTF Africa Cup in Tunisia, where he fell to his long-time rival Omar Assar in the final.
Now, the Nigerian faces an even bigger mountain to climb against Chuqin, who has been nearly unstoppable on home soil.
Unlike many of his past WTT battles, Aruna enters this match with no previous meetings against Chuqin to analyze.
It’s a mystery showdown where both players will be navigating uncharted waters, but with Aruna’s explosive playing style and never-say-die attitude, an upset could be brewing.
Meanwhile, Assar is also in action, taking on German pen-holder Dan Qiu in another high-profile first-round clash.
On the women’s side, Africa’s rising star, Hana Goda is set for a clash against South Korean talent Shun Yubin, while nine-time Africa Cup champion Dina Meshref takes on Kim Nayeong.
With the world’s best players battling for supremacy under the electrifying purple lights of Chongqing, all eyes will be on Aruna Quadri to see if he defy the odds and knock out a top contender in his own backyard.
