Aruna Quadri, a major medal contender for Nigeria at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been eliminated from the table tennis competition after relinquishing a 3-0 lead.
Heading into his fourth consecutive Games, Quadri seemed set for victory as he dominated the first three sets against Romania’s Eduard Ionescu, winning them 11-8, 11-9, and 11-6. However, Ionescu staged a remarkable comeback, winning the fourth set 11-8 and the next two sets 12-10 and 11-9 to level the match at 3-3.
In the decisive final set, Ionescu edged out Quadri with a tight 13-11 victory, ending Quadri’s Olympic aspirations and leaving Nigerian fans devastated. Quadri, who had hoped to surpass his previous best of reaching the quarter-finals in Rio 2016, now faces the disappointment of an early exit.
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This loss follows a previous defeat to Ionescu in the 2024 European Champions League. Quadri’s unexpected elimination marks a significant blow to Nigeriaโs Olympic hopes, with athletics star Tobi Amusan also bearing the weight of national expectations.