Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri has moved a step up to the 29th position with 2, 393 points in the April ranking of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) ranking.
According to reports, he was on the 30th position in the March ranking.
Quadri is Africa’s top ranked player in the ITTF April ranking; followed by Egypt’s Omar Assar who is occupying the 37th position with 2, 338 points.
The third ranked African is Nigeria’s Segun Toriola on 109th position with 2,022 points which is a tie with India’s Harmeet Desai.
Quadri, reacting to the feat, said that this was one of the upward movements in line with his aim of making the top 20 in the monthly ranking.
He said that it was essential for him to attend more tournaments for his ranking to constantly improve.
“Well, it is from tournaments we garner points that are used to rank us. I need to engage in them but I need to be careful in selecting the competitions that I take part in.
“I need to attend competitions that have the best 50 players globally participating. It does not do me any good taking part in competitions that have lower-ranked players than me.
“It is better when I lose points against the top-ranked players than lower-ranked players. I must be extra careful in featuring at tournaments.
“The super series and major tournaments are competitions that I should ensure that I don’t miss,” he said.
The 2014 ITTF star player said that he was planning to take part in some opens, to build up his preparations for the Rio Olympic Games.
“Croatia Open, Slovenia Open, Korea and Japan Open are my targets for now. I want to use them to warm-up for the Olympics likewise garner more points,” he said.
Anderson Bankole, the Technical Director, Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), commended Quadri for his strive in getting better.
Bankole, who is also a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), said that the federation was proud of Quadri’s remarkable feat.
“He is a fantastic player who is optimistic and leaves nothing untouched in his quest for fame and excellence.
“I urge him not to relent and strive to consistently surpass all his previous records,’’ he said.
A player, Tosin Oribamise, also commended her compatriot and advised him to improve on his records.
Oribamise said that Quadri was one player she respected so much and is a role model to her.
“I look up to him and strive to achieve his records and also surpass them,” she said.
Similarly, Ojo Onaolapo applauded Quadri for the feat and urged him not to drop henceforth in the monthly ranking.
“It won’t be an easy task but he must continue to work on it,’’ he said.
Quadri is one of the four male players to represent the country at the forthcoming 2016 Rio Olympics.
