By Victor Kanayo
Nigeria’s table tennis star Aruna Quadri has dropped one point in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) rankings revealed on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
The reason for the nosedive may not be unconnected to his latest inconsistent performance in competitions.
Quadri Misses
Quadri missed a table tennis competition which held in Lagos due to injury after having a decent outing in the Durban series.
Despite the drop in ranking, the Nigeria international still ranked top in Africa and is closely followed by Omar Assar of Egypt who is placed 23rd in the world.
Mati Rise
Fast-rising Nigerian teenage prodigy, Taiwo Mati, made a significant leap in the rankings as he chalked up 13 places to finish the month in 63rd position after recording 272 points in June.
Likely World Championship Absence For Brume, Ofili
The duo of Nigeria’s Godson Brume and Favour Ofili will most likely miss 2023 World Athletics Championship scheduled for Budapest in August.
This is after they failed to make it at the ongoing National trials organised by the Athletics Federation Of Nigeria (AFN) in Benin, Edo state capital.
AFN a few days ago announced that any athletes that failed to participate in the trial will not be selected.
Brume was said to have missed the flight four times, an excuse the federation believed is not tenable.
Sprint star and World record holder Tobi Amusan was among those who made it to the trials.