Table Tennis
QUADRI, ASSAR START 2018 AT TOP 20 IN ITTF WORLD RANKING
Nigerian players are among the biggest beneficiaries of the new ITTF ranking as Aruna Quadri gained a step to start 2018 at 20, while Olajide Omotayo gained a lot by moving from 514 to 213 in the January 2018 ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body.
Having ended 2017 at 21, Quadri began the year at 21 while Egypt’s Omar Assar also gained from the new ranking system as the Egyptian is ranked 16 in the world.
At world level, a new order took place as the reign of China’s Ma Long came to an end in the new ranking as the Olympic and World Champion has been displaced by Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov.
According to ITTF, the new system took into consideration the number of competitions that each player competes in while such player is also expected to earn points from every stage he attains in the tournament.
China’s Long, who dropped to seven in the latest rating has dominated the ranking for more than two years missed out from the latest ranking as the best player in the world as the top spot is now being occupied by Germany’s Dimitrij Ovtcharov.
For Dimitrij Ovtcharov, the top spot is a result of a series of outstanding performances in the past year by the now 29 year old who enjoyed the best 12 months of his career.
He won the ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup, as well as at the Liebherr Men’s World Cup in addition to reserving the top step of the podium on the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour in Bulgaria, China, Germany and India.
Additionally he reached the fourth round of the Men’s Singles event at the Liebherr 2017 World Championships and was the runner up at the Seamaster 2017 ITTF World Tour Grand Finals.
Simply, those results are the reason why for the first time in his career, Dimitrij Ovtcharov occupies the number one spot in the world order; the system now in place being based on the best eight results gained in the immediate preceding 12 month period, as opposed to the previous system when wins and losses against adversaries were the basis calculator.
No other incumbent can match that record; colleague Timo Boll appears at no.3 behind China’s Fan Zhendong but other notable names, who like Timo Boll have ascended to the top spot during their illustrious careers, the new listings do not make the most pleasant reading.
China’s Xu Xin is at no.5; colleague Ma Long, the reigning Olympic Games and World champion is at no.7, whilst Vladimir Samsonov of Belarus stands at no.25.
Most significantly, Zhang Jike, also from China and like Ma Long, the winner of the most prestigious titles on planet earth, occupies the no.54 spot.
Notably, Jun Mizutani, in recent times, the highest rated Japanese player on the Men’s World Rankings is now at no.13; the leading names from the Land of the Rising Sun being Koki Niwa at no.6, Kenta Matsudaira at no.10 and Tomokazu Harimoto, one place lower.
Similarly, Sharath Kamal Achanta is no longer the top listed player from India; he appears at no.51, three places behind Sathiyan Gnanasekaran at no.48.
Progress for South Asia but if any part of the world has reason to rejoice it is Africa; two players from that continent in the top 20 for the first time ever. Egypt’s Omar Assar is at no.16, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna at no.20.
Meanwhile, on the Under 21 Men’s World Rankings, organised in a similar manner to that of the Men’s listings but with best six performances as opposed to the best eight in the last 12 months being taken into consideration and only in the age group, Japan is very much in evidence.
Mizuki Oikawa occupies top spot with colleague Yuto Kizukuri in the no.3 position; sandwiched in between is Korea’s Cho Seungmin.
The Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) has elected Dr. Adesoji Tayo as its new president following the conclusion of the federation’s elective congress held in Abuja on Saturday, October 4.
Dr. Tayo, who previously served as Vice President of the federation, succeeds Ishaku Tikon, whose eight-year tenure came to an end after steering the affairs of Nigerian table tennis through two terms.
Chairman of the Oyo State Table Tennis Association, Dr. Tayo emerged unopposed after his main challenger, Khamisu Ahmed from Gombe State, stepped down and was subsequently named the new Vice President.
With his election, Dr. Tayo joins the growing ranks of passionate table tennis enthusiasts who have taken leadership roles in the sport’s administration.
He is expected to bring renewed energy and direction to the NTTF over the next four years, building on the developmental strides achieved under his predecessor.
The new leadership is anticipated to focus on grassroots development, international competitiveness, and strengthening state associations to sustain Nigeria’s rich legacy in the sport.
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Following his last outing at the 2023 ITTF World Championships in Durban, South Africa, Taiwo Mati makes a return to Nigeria’s national team as the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF) announces a 10-man squad for the 2025 ITTF African Championships, scheduled to take place in Tunis, Tunisia, from October 12 to 19.
The continental event serves as a qualifier for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom—a landmark edition marking the centenary of the World Championships, which will return to the city where it all began in 1926.
Mati, who plays professionally in Europe, earned his spot after a strong performance at the 2025 West Regional Championships, where he finished among the top four, edging out Muiz Adegoke.
He joins a formidable lineup that includes Africa’s top-ranked player, Quadri Aruna; 2019 African Games gold medalist, Olajide Omotayo; two-time West African champion, Matthew Kuti; and rising talent Abdulbasit Abdulfatai.
Despite being one of Africa’s standout performers at Durban 2023, Mati had been absent from the national team for two years.
His semifinal finish at the regional tournament in Lagos last July marked a successful comeback for the left-handed star.
The women’s team features promising young players, including Favour Ojo, Aishat Rabiu, Kabirat Ayoola, and Sukurat Aiyelabegan. Veteran Ajoke Ojomu will lead the squad as captain in Tunis.
NTTF Vice President, Adesoji Tayo, emphasized the importance of early exposure for young athletes:
“We believe that exposing these young players to top-tier competitions will help them grow stronger and more confident. Competing against Africa’s best will prepare them to face global opponents. Most elite players began early, and we want our talents to follow that path.
With guidance from experienced coaches like Segun Toriola and Dotun Omoniyi, we’re optimistic they’ll gain valuable experience and deliver strong performances,” he said.
Top-performing teams in both the men’s and women’s categories will earn qualification for London 2026, the sport’s most prestigious stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria and Egypt lead a competitive field that includes Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s competition will feature Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
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Africa’s table tennis powerhouses, Nigeria and Egypt, will lead the charge for qualification to the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships in London, United Kingdom, as the continent’s top teams converge in Tunis, Tunisia, for the 2025 ITTF African Championships from October 12 to 19.
London 2026 marks a historic centenary celebration, returning the World Championships to the city where it all began in 1926. The Tunis tournament serves as the official African qualification event, with the top-performing men’s and women’s teams securing their place on the sport’s grandest stage.
In the men’s division, Nigeria—West Africa’s dominant force—and Egypt—the North African powerhouse—will be joined by Tunisia, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Angola, Cameroon, Congo Brazzaville, Benin Republic, DR Congo, and Morocco.
The women’s field features Egypt, Nigeria, Benin Republic, Ghana, Ethiopia, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Madagascar, DR Congo, Cameroon, South Africa, Angola, Algeria, and host nation Tunisia.
With London in sight, the battle for qualification will intensify during the final three days of the continental tournament, where all eyes will be on Nigeria and Egypt as they renew their storied rivalry.
According to the ITTF, London 2026 will feature 64 teams in both the men’s and women’s events—an expansion from the previous 40-team format. This growth reflects the global rise of table tennis and opens the door for more nations to compete at the highest level.
The tournament will unfold across two iconic London venues. The Copper Box Arena will host the opening rounds from April 28 to May 1, followed by the main draw at Wembley Arena from May 2 to 10, where the world’s elite will compete for the ultimate prize.
Each gender will see 64 teams divided into 16 groups of four, with round-robin matches determining progression. A key innovation in the format is the introduction of Stage 1a and Stage 1b:
Stage 1a features the top eight teams (seven highest-ranked plus host nation) split into two groups. All eight automatically advance, with group results determining seedings.
Stage 1b includes the remaining 56 teams across 14 groups. The 14 group winners and six best second-placed teams qualify directly. The remaining eight second-placed teams enter a preliminary knockout round, with four winners completing the 32-team main draw.
From the first serve at the Copper Box to the final point at Wembley, London 2026 promises to celebrate not only the present strength of global table tennis but also the remarkable journey that began in the same city a century ago.
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