One of the top ranked players expected to dazzle at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championships (WTTC) which began on Friday, February 16, in Korea Republic, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria has confirmed his withdrawal from the global tournament.
The 2023 African Champion who has been listed for the tournament by Nigeria blamed his withdrawal on illness.
“Unfortunately, I will not be participating in world championships in Busan, I am seriously ill with food poisoning,” he wrote on his Facebook page on Friday, February 16.
The world number 12 has been expected to lead the Nigerian men’s team in their first group match against Japan, however, wished the team good luck in South Korea.
“I wish the team good luck,” he added.
Nigeria has been handed a tough group which has Japan, Chinese Taipei, Czech Republic, and Madagascar as the three top teams in the group are expected to advance to the knockout stage in their bid to join the top eight in each category (men and women) to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
With Aruna’s absence in Busan, the onus now lies on the shoulders of Olajide Omotayo, Bode Abiodun as well as their coach Segun Toriola to navigate the group in their bid to advance to the knockout stage.
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