Aruna Wins ITTF Star Award

Quadri Aruna, Nigeria’s table tennis player, on Wednesday night clinched two awards at the International Table Tennis Federation’s, ITTF, 2014 Star Awards in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates.

Aruna beats three other nominees, including China’s duo of Fan Zhendong and Xi Xin and Portugal’s Marcos Freitas to win the Male Table Tennis Star of the Year.

The world’s 30th ranked player’s crucial winning point in the 4-2 loss to World and Olympic champion, Jan Zhike, at the quarter-final stage of the 2014 ITTF World Cup in Dusseldorf, was also adjudged the Star Point of the Year at the awards.

While stating the reason for nominating Aruna for one of the awards,the ITTF said the Nigerian table tennis player emerged winner of the Male Table Tennis Star because of his astronomical rise in the ITTF rankings during the year to become the highest-ever ranked African player in history.

Reacting to the development, an elated Aruna, who described the day as the best day of his life, dedicated the awards to his fans.

“Today is the best day of my career and my life. I am dedicating this unbelievable award to my fans all over the world who took their time to vote for me,” Aruna said.