Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna and Egypt’s Omar Assar have been seeded among the top 16 players for the Men’s Singles table tennis event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, reflecting their status as leading contenders in the sport.
Aruna, ranked 19th in the world, made history as the first African to reach the quarterfinals at the Olympics.
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Assar, the second African to achieve this feat, holds the 22nd world ranking. Their seeding for the Games will be confirmed based on the July 16th ITTF World Rankings, setting the stage for thrilling matchups.
Both players will begin their campaigns from the second round (round of 64) on July 28 at the South Paris Arena, with fans eagerly anticipating their performances.
Aruna, making his fourth Olympic appearance, aims for a podium finish, while Assar, who matched Aruna’s quarterfinal achievement at Tokyo 2020, is another strong contender.
Assar will be joined by Mohamed El-Beiali for Egypt in the Men’s Singles, while Dina Meshref and Hana Goda represent the nation in the Women’s Singles.
In the team event, Youssef Abdel-Aziz will join Assar and El-Beiali for the men, while Mariam Alhodaby teams up with Meshref and Goda for the women. Additionally, Meshref and Assar will compete in the Mixed Doubles event.
Aruna’s compatriot, Olajide Omotayo, along with African players Mehdi Boulussa of Algeria, Ibrahima Diaw of Senegal, and Fabio Rakotoarimanana of Madagascar, who will be the first from his country to compete, add to the continent’s representation. Saheed Idowu of Congo Brazzaville secured a Tripartite Invitation.
In the women’s singles, Nigeria’s Offiong Edem and Fatimo Bello, Cameroon’s Sarah Hanffou, and Algeria’s Lynda Loghraibi complete Africa’s contingent.
The 10th Olympic appearance of table tennis promises an exciting blend of experience and youthful talent.
The French Team’s recent successes have heightened local anticipation, while global stars like Ma Long and Timo Boll prepare for their final Olympic appearances, ensuring a memorable event in Paris.
