Nigeria’s table tennis sensation, Quadri Aruna, continues his steady rise on the ITTF ranking by gaining one step up on the ladder to occupy the 16th spot as the highest African ranked player.
According to a statement on Wednesday by the African Table Tennis Federation (ATTF), Aruna moved to the 16th position in Week 23 of the 2024 ITTF ranking.
Also, Aruna’s quest to garner more points ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in France, has pitted him against home-boy Frane Kojic in the first round of the men’s singles at the 2024 WTT Contender Zagreb in Serbia.
Aruna started his rise in the ranking in Week 22 after his round of 16 finish at the Saudi Smash last month.
He had his appeal accepted by the ITTF Executive Board for his World Table Tennis Championships points to be restored and this prompted his movement to 16th place in the latest ranking.
However, Aruna, awaits formal confirmation from ITTF for his qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
“The ranking will be used to determine the final list of players who will join the flight to France’s most populous city, Paris next month for the Olympic Games,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Spain’s Alvaro Robles has become the biggest mover in the ITTF ranking after achieving another career-high ranking.
It has been over six years since Robles has scored a career-high ranking as the Spaniard kicked off 2018 sitting at No.37 in the world and had never been as high since.
But with the latest rating, Robles jumped 15 places up the ladder to No.32, shaving five places off his previous record.
This is a phenomenal testament to his commitment to the sport and also to his recent form.
The 33-year-old has been to the final of two WTT events in 2024, including last week’s WTT Contender Mendoza.
Although he lost out on the title in a thrilling seven-game duel with Benedikt Duda of Germany, the new career-high ranking will add further fuel to Robles’ fire to go even higher. (NAN)
