ITTF Rankings: Quadri, Omotayo drop as Edem remains best-ranked Nigerian female

Aruna Quadri and Olajide Omotayo dropped some points in the Table Tennis world ranking of April 2020, released by the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).

Although Quadri still maintains his status as the highest rated African player in the world, he dropped two places to become the 20th best player in the world.

Omotayo on the other hand, who is the only Nigeria male athlete to have secured his place at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, slid to 79 in the world rating.

Quadri is still recuperating from the thigh injury he sustained during the African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tunis last February.

He is yet to taste action since then, and is yet to resume full training in his base in Lisbon, Portugal, following the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the Portuguese Government to lock-down major cities in the European nation.

Read Also: Quadri out for three weeks due to injury, misses Qatar Open

Ranked 18th in the world in March, Quadri has now dropped to 20 and the Oyo State-born athlete has however, started light training indoor, which he said would aid his quick return when life returns to normal in Portugal.

Also, Egypt’s Omar Assar dropped to 38 from 35 while among the biggest movers in the world is Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw who rose to 69 in the world after moving up by six steps.

The Senegalese has also secured a place at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

In the women’s rating, Egypt’s Dina Meshref maintains her position as the African best as she occupies 32nd place in the world.

Despite dropping by eight steps to 120 in the world rating, Offiong Edem remains the highest ranked Nigeria female player in the world.

Olufunke Oshonaike occupies 174th place in the ranking.

At the peak of the men’s ranking is China’s Fan Zhendong, who replaced compatriot Xu Xin at the summit, as China’s Chen Meng continues her reign as the women’s world number one.

Following the current suspension of ITTF events in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest ITTF Rankings released on April 16, 2020, will be frozen until activities resume.

The decision to freeze the world ranking was taken at the ITTF Executive Committee meeting held on April 1 2020, following the recommendations from the World Ranking Group and the Athletes Commission.

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