The latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings show Nigerian athlete Quadri Aruna has overtaken Egypt’s Omar Assar to become Africa’s highest-ranked table tennis player. Aruna now holds the 18th position worldwide.

Though Aruna finished second at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, his excellent results in World Table Tennis (WTT) tournaments this year have propelled his ranking upward. His achievement of reaching the WTT Contender Doha semifinals marks his second such accomplishment, having also done so in 2023, and he remains the only African male player to have reached this stage.

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The rankings show Aruna jumping from 19th to 18th position, while Assar, despite winning the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, has dropped from 17th to 19th globally. Denmark’s Jonathan Groth has moved into the 17th spot previously held by Assar.

Further down the rankings, Egypt’s Mohamed El-Beiali has ascended to 45th place after his quarterfinal appearance at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, securing his position as Africa’s third-highest ranked player.

Other Nigerian players have also improved their standings, with Omotayo Olajide climbing four places to rejoin the top 100 at 98th position. Compatriots Muizz Adegoke and Monday Kuti have both risen three spots, now ranking 197th and 200th respectively.