Nigeria’s emerging table tennis talents, Matthew Kuti and Muizz Adegoke, have continued their impressive rise in the global scene, climbing five places each in the latest International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) world rankings for Week 41, released on Tuesday.
The latest update, which reflects a positive trend for Nigerian players across the board, comes just days ahead of the ITTF African Championships set to begin in Tunis on October 12.
Veteran star Quadri Aruna remains Nigeria’s highest-ranked player, holding steady at 25th position with 1,185 points. The 37-year-old continues to lead Africa’s charge, ahead of Egypt’s Omar Assar and Youssef Abdelaziz, who sit outside the global top 30.
Aruna’s consistency underscores his dominance and longevity, as he remains one of the few African players competing regularly on the elite World Table Tennis circuit.
Behind him, 19-year-old Kuti continued his rise, moving up to 195th with 89 points, following a series of strong performances in international youth and challenger events. Abdulbasit Abdulfatai also gained ground, climbing four places to 202nd, while Olajide Omotayo advanced to 208th. Taiwo Mati rose to 220th, and 17-year-old Adegoke, one of the breakout stars from the African Youth Championships, jumped to 237th — consolidating his reputation as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects.
Other Nigerian men also recorded gains: Kolasi Wasiu (352nd), Rilwan Akanbi (405th), Mathew Fabunmi (407th), and Azeez Solanke (432nd), signalling a renewed upward movement in the country’s men’s rankings.
In the women’s category, Fatimo Bello maintained her position as Nigeria’s top-ranked female player at 120th with 189 points. Ajoke Ojomu rose two places to 156th, followed by Aminat Fashola (180th), Sukurat Aiyelabegan (208th), and Favour Ojo (270th), who all made gains.
The steady progress continued with Hope Udoaka (286th), Kabirat Ayoola (309th), and Aziza Sezuo (316th), while six emerging players — Aishat Rabiu, Iyanuoluwa Falana, Onyinyechi Mbah, Asiaju Bisola, Maryam Ahmed, and Joy Emmanuel — each moved up four spots to occupy the 379–385 bracket.
On the global stage, China continues to dominate the sport. Wang Chuqin leads the men’s rankings with 10,900 points, followed by Lin Shidong, while Brazil’s Hugo Calderano holds third place. Sun Yingsha tops the women’s standings with 11,600 points, leading an all-Chinese top five that includes Wang Manyu and Chen Xingtong.
As Team Nigeria prepares for the upcoming African Championships in Tunisia, Aruna will lead the men’s squad alongside Mati, Omotayo, Kuti, and Abdulfatai, while Ojomu will captain a youthful women’s side featuring Ojo, Rabiu, Ayoola, and Aiyelabegan.
With continental titles and qualification spots for the 2026 ITTF World Team Championships at stake, Nigeria’s players will aim to translate their rising global rankings into podium finishes.
