Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna is set to spearhead the African challenge at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, securing a spot among the 16 top seeds in the Men’s Singles table tennis event.
As the draws for the tournament approach, Aruna’s 19th world ranking positions him as Africa’s highest-rated player heading into the Games.
The Nigerian star, who made history as the first African to reach the quarterfinals of the Olympic table tennis event, will be making his fourth Olympic appearance in Paris.
Aruna’s seeding ensures he will begin his campaign from the second round (round of 64) on July 28 at the South Paris Arena, with hopes high for a podium finish.
Joining Aruna in the upper echelons of the seedings is Egypt’s Omar Assar, currently ranked 22nd in the world. Assar, who matched Aruna’s quarterfinal achievement at Tokyo 2020, represents another strong medal prospect for the continent.
The African contingent in Paris extends beyond these top seeds. Aruna’s compatriot, Olajide Omotayo, will also compete in the Men’s Singles event.
Other African representatives include Mehdi Boulussa of Algeria, Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal, and Saheed Idowu of Congo Brazzaville, who secured a Tripartite Invitation.
Notably, Madagascar’s Fabio Rakotoarimanana will make history as the first player from his nation to compete in Olympic table tennis.
In the women’s singles, Nigeria’s duo of Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello will carry their nation’s hopes, alongside Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou and Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi.
While the spotlight shines brightly on Aruna and his fellow Africans, the Paris Olympics promise a global spectacle of table tennis talent. The tournament will feature the swan song of Chinese legend Ma Long, the debut of India in the Team events, and the final Olympic appearance of German icon Timo Boll.
As the official seedings, based on the July 16th ITTF World Rankings, are yet to be revealed, anticipation builds for potential matchups.
