Africa’s sole flagbearer at the WTT Star Contender Bangkok, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria will on Friday, July 5, battle Japanese Yukiya Uda in the second round of the Men’s Singles in Thailand.
The Nigerian rated number four seed by the organisers will be facing the familiar Japanese whom he beat 4-3 in a close contest at the Hong Kong Open 2018.
The Japanese star is already pumped up for the encounter having defeated Portugal’s Joao Monteiro 3-2 in a fiercely contested first-round match played on Thursday, July 4 at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.
Aruna was beaten in his last outing at the WTT Star Contender in Slovenia by another Japanese star Sora Matsushima whom he may likely face again if he edges out Uda in the round of 32 tie.
But the Nigerian who missed the WTT Contender Lagos and Tunis is poised to be motivated ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which kicks off later this month in France.
Apart from still working toward clinching his first WTT title, Aruna is yearning to mop up ranking points that will enhance his status when the draws for the Paris Olympic Games are released in the Men’s Singles.
The 2024 Africa Cup champion is aiming to exceed his Rio 2016 quarterfinal finish in Paris to become the first African to mount the podium at the Olympic Games.
A total prize pool of $250,000 is in play, with 600 ITTF World Ranking Points sitting up top for the champions as the 2023 edition champions, Lin Gaoyuan and Chen Xingtong of China who both won the triple crown will be hoping to retain their title.
Already not included in the Chinese contingent to the Paris Olympic Games, the Chinese duo will want to amass points for subsequent tournaments.