In a stunning turn of events at the Paris 2024 Olympics, two of Nigeria’s top table tennis hopes, Aruna Quadri and Omotayo Olajide, faced heartbreaking defeats in the first round of the men’s singles event.
Competing in his fourth consecutive Olympic Games, Quadri seemed poised for victory, dominating his match against Romania’s Eduard Ionescu with a commanding 3-0 lead. The veteran Olympian took the first three sets 11-8, 11-9, and 11-6.
However, the 19-year-old Romanian staged an incredible comeback, claiming the next three sets 11-8, 12-10, and 11-9, levelling the match at 3-3. In a tense final set, Ionescu edged out Quadri 13-11, sealing the game and dashing Nigeria’s hopes for a medal in table tennis.
This loss is particularly bitter for Quadri, who had high aspirations of surpassing his historic quarter-final run at the Rio 2016 Olympics, where he became the first African to reach that stage. Despite his early dominance, Quadri could not maintain his lead, allowing Ionescu to mount a comeback. Both players had previously faced off at the 2024 European Champions League, where the Romanian also emerged victorious.
The upset is a significant blow to Nigeria’s Olympic campaign, as Quadri was among the nation’s brightest prospects alongside athletics star Tobi Amusan.
Earlier in the day, two-time Olympian Omotayo Olajide suffered a 1-4 loss to Noshad Alamiyan of Iran. Olajide, who had also carried Nigeria’s hopes, could not advance, further compounding the disappointment for Nigerian fans.
With both players out of the men’s singles event, Nigeria’s chances of securing a medal in the men’s singles event for table tennis have ended.
