TheCable

Aruna Quadri has risen to become one of the top 10 players in the world in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings.

The Nigerian rose two places in the latest ranking released on Tuesday to place 10th best table tennis player in the world.

The ranking makes Aruna the first African, Nigerian or black table tennis player to break into the top echelon of the game.

He sits in the illustrious position with 1565 points, aided by his historical display at the World Table Tennis (WTT) star contender championship in Qatar in March.

The 33-year-old defeated three Chinese players to become the first African player to reach the semi-final of the WTT star contender event.

He has kept rising since he entered the world’s top 15 in September 2021.

Egypt’s Omar Assar gained eight steps up in the rating to occupy 18th place in the men’s singles ranking.

Ahmed Saleh dropped nine steps down to 58th, while Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal ranked 61st on the log.

Nigeria’s Olajide Omotayo also dropped by 10 steps to be ranked 99th, while compatriot Bode Abiodun rose to 97th in the world.

In the women’s ranking, Egypt’s Mariam Alhodaby is the highest-ranked African female player in the 40th position.

Nigeria’s Offiong Edem is Nigeria’s highest-ranked woman in the 89th position, having moved 10 places upward.