By Flinster Austin
Published on 2024-01-04 04:00:16
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna once again proved himself to be a giant killer at the World Table Tennis Finals in Doha. He staged an incredible comeback to defeat the world’s number five rated player, Hugo Calderano, in front of a stunned crowd. This victory was particularly impressive considering that the Brazilian had previously beaten Aruna in their last two meetings. As a Rio 2016 Olympics quarterfinalist, Aruna was determined to change the narrative in this encounter.
At the start of the match, Calderano raced to a 2-0 lead with wins in the first two games (11-7, 11-2). Despite the Brazilian’s strong performance, the African champion refused to be intimidated. In the third game, Aruna silenced Calderano’s supporters with an 11-9 win, narrowing the gap to 2-1. He continued to build momentum, securing a close 12-10 victory in the fourth game to even the score at 2-2.
The fifth and final game was a tense and closely contested affair. Aruna took an early lead at 8-4, but Calderano fought his way back into the game, eventually taking the lead at 9-8 and then 10-9. However, Aruna’s powerful forehand proved to be the deciding factor as he secured a 12-10 win in the final game, earning his first victory over the South American star.
Following this stunning upset, an elated Aruna expressed his emotions, saying, “I cannot describe how it feels. But I’m very happy and excited.” He credited his coach, Tunisia’s Hachmi Abid, for his support and guidance throughout the match. Aruna revealed that his coach had urged him not to give up and to keep fighting, emphasizing the importance of each set. He listened to his coach and followed his instructions, ultimately leading to a historic victory.
This triumph propelled Aruna into the quarterfinal of the $340,000 prize money tournament, setting up a rematch against world number one, Fan Zhendong of China. Despite never having secured a win against Zhendong, Aruna remained optimistic about the upcoming challenge. He expressed his belief in giving his best effort and emphasized the importance of enjoying the experience.
Aruna’s remarkable performance at the World Table Tennis Finals in Doha solidified his reputation as a formidable opponent capable of achieving extraordinary victories against highly rated players. His determination, resilience, and unwavering belief in his abilities have earned him admiration and respect within the global table tennis community. As he prepared to face Zhendong in the quarterfinal, fans and supporters eagerly anticipated another thrilling display of skill and determination from Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna.
