Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri on Sunday in Lagos broke a five years jinx, winning the men’s singles event of the 2018 Seamaster Challenge ITTF Nigeria Open, defeating France’s Hachard Antoine by four set to two (11-13, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7).
Reacting to his victory, the number 18 ranked player in the world, said it was a dream come true for him to win the competition that started in 2013.
Quadri added that his victory was also made possible by the love and support given to him by the fans.
He said: “This is a great victory for me and I am grateful to God for the opportunity to win this event.
“This is my second finals in this challenge series and I am proud to be the first Nigerian to lift the trophy at home,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Indoor Sports Hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surlere.
NAN reports that Quadri lost to Omar Assar in the final of 2016 edition.
Meanwhile, in the women’s singles, China Guo Yan defeated her compatriots, Sun Chen by 4-3 (7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11,9-11,11-4, 12-10).
The winners in both men and women singles finals got 5,000 dollars each, while the runners-up received 2,500 dollars respectively.
NAN reports that 169 players from 27 country competed in the 46,000 dollars prize money event.
