Quadri Aruna of Nigeria

Nigerian player Aruna Quadri on Monday defeated Egypt’s Omar Assar 4-1 to emerge the male singles winner at the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Africa Top 16 in Khartoum, Sudan.

Quadri told NAN that this was one victory he had been looking forward to.

“I give God all the glory for this victory. It is not my victory alone, but victory for all Nigerians.

“I feel so great and happy for this feat. Everyone knows it’s always a tough match when I and Assar meet in finals of competitions.

“He is a very good player, but we are always wary of one another. My determination and preparation for this competition indeed worked in my favour,” he said.

Quadri said he put in all his best into the just-ended competition, and he was glad it ended well for him.

“I made sure that all through the competition I was calm. I didn’t put myself in any form of unnecessary stress or anxiety. I played with rapt attention and open mind.

“My joy knows no bounds and this is a call for me to do better and remember that so many other athletes are looking up to me,’’ he said.

The 2014 ITTF star player, however, promised not to relent but rather intensify more efforts to make the list of the top 20 best players in the world.

“Well, my target is making the list of the best 20 players monthly in the table tennis ranking. When I am in that list, then I know I am gradually getting there.

“So, for now I am aiming that, as well as participating in as many tournaments as possible to help me garner more points which will take me to my target,” he said.

NAN reports that Quadri won the 2014 edition of the competition in Lagos when Nigeria hosted it.