Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna is out of men’s singles event at the ongoing WTT Champions in Macao, China after he was floored by Sweden’s Anton Kallberg on Thursday.

The number one table tennis player in Africa was making his return to the table following his absence after missing the World Team Championships in Chengdu, China, earlier this month.

However, Aruna was dominated by Kallberg, with the three sets ending 11-8; 11-9; 11-9 respectively for 3-0 victory in favour of the Swedish in the round of 32 tie.

Aruna was not even close to the feat he achieved at the 2021 edition of the competition in Houston (U.S.) – he reached the quarterfinals in that year, but lost 2-4 to another Swedish opponent Truls Möregärdh in the tie.

Meanwhile, there is consolation for the continent following the bad start for Africa representatives in the competition – both Goda, and Mariam Alhodaby lost their matches in the women’s singles round of 32 yesterday.

Egypt’s Dina Meshref defeated Lee Ho Ching of Hong Kong 3-1 on Thursday(today) to record Africa’s first win at the tournament and proceed to the Women’s Singles round of 16.