ITTF Rankings: Quadri Aruna, Kuti Gain Massively
ITTF Rankings: Aruna Reclaims Africa's No.1 Spot, Kuti Surpasses Omotayo
Nigeria’s professional and international Table tennis player, Quadri Aruna, has reclaimed his position as the number one (1) ranked African player in the latest international table tennis federation (ITTF) world rankings, as reported by Kpomkwem News.
Aruna, jumped three places ahead on the global ranking despite his recent inactivity.
His latest competition was at the U.S. Smash in July. His return to the top was made possible by the ITTF’s rolling 12-month ranking system, which phased out rival players.
Egypt’s Omar Assar, who previously held the African top spot, has now dropped a slot behind Aruna in the global rankings.
In another major development, Matthew Kuti has overtaken Olajide Omotayo to become Nigeria’s second-highest-ranked male table tennis player.
Kuti climbed six spots to 194th in the world following his impressive title win at the 2025 West Africa Regional Championships in Lagos, which earned him 75 ranking points.
He also picked up 10 points from the ITTF World Championships Finals in Doha and four from the WTT Contender Lagos, bringing him to a total points of 89.
On the other hand, Omotayo, dropped 37 places to 198th after poor performances in the Lagos tournament which has slipped him to 78 points. Merely two places away to drop from the global top 200.
Close behind are Abdulbasit Abdulfatai and Taiwo Mati, ranked 205th and 213th, respectively. Abdulfatai rose two places, boosted by his strong performance in Lagos tournament.
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He earned all 74 of his ranking points in Lagos tourney and 55 from his runner-up finishing at the West Africa Regional Championships as well as 19 from the WTT Contender event.
Taiwo Mati retained his 213th position and remains Nigeria’s most travelled player. He collected 35 points after reaching the Round 16 at WTT Contender Lagos, the joint-best African finish at the event, and added 25 points from a semi-final run at the West Africa Regional Championships.
His total points is further boosted by his appearances in Cagliari (3 points), Muscat, Tunis, and Skopje (2 points each). Muizz Adegoke also saw progress, climbing two spots to 232nd with a total of 59 ranking points.
