Tournaments

27 Jun 2017

Eight years ago in Rabat, Morocco, very much a new name announced his arrival; it was that of Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna; he won the Africa Cup and thus progressed to compete in the Liebherr 2009 Men’s World Cup staged in the Russian capital city of Moscow.

He beat Canada’s Xavier Therien and Australia’s Robbie Frank before losing to Brazil’s Cazuo Matsumoto in the concluding contest in the International Cup.

by Ian Marshall, ITTF Publications Editor

A great deal has happened to Quadri Aruna since that time, a quarter-final place in the Liebherr 2014 Men’s World Cup, the same finish in the Men’s Singles event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Now,, a valued member of the French club, Jura Morez, during the recent 2016-2017 season, he returns to Morocco, not to Rabat but to Agadir; Quadri Aruna will compete in the 2017 ITTF-Africa Cup; a three day tournament, play commences on Saturday 1st July.

He spoke to Olalekan Okusan, the ITTF-Africa Press Officer.

The ITTF Africa Cup is another challenge that I am looking forward to and I am preparing very well.

I know it is not going to be easy and I know it is very possible to win again in Morocco having won my first continental there in 2009. Now my club matches are over in the French l#League, I have enough time to prepare. I am training now more than before and I believe it is going to be a fantastic tournament. I am eagerly looking forward to give my best and represent Nigeria well.

The greatest threat to my ambition in Morocco is not only Omar Assar because there is always quarter-final, semi-final and final. I think all the Egyptian players are threats to my ambition in Morocco and I am going to take it one match at a time.

All players are very important to me and giving all the attention to Omar Assar alone will not allow me to lack focus on other players. I must remain focused and consider other participants as well; this is more important to me as I am getting ready for all the participants in the competition.

2017 ITTF-Africa Cup Quadri Aruna
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