Following the recurring thigh injury he sustained during the African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Tunis at the weekend, Africa’s best ranked player, Aruna Quadri has been ruled out of action for three weeks.
The injury has also forced Quadri to withdraw from the ongoing ITTF World Tour tagged Qatar Open holding in Doha.
In Tunis, the medical team of the tournament confirmed that the Nigerian had a recurring thigh injury which he was nursing before the tournament, but further examination in Lisbon, Portugal later revealed that he suffered another hamstring injury in Tunis.
The ITTF Africa Top 16 Cup runner-up has been advised to rest while undergoing treatment.
Quadri was close to picking his Tokyo Olympics ticket from the continental qualifiers in Tunis last week, but he had to withdraw from playing his last match against Adam Hmam to hand the Tunisian the last Olympic spot.
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After beating Togo’s Djouji Fanny 4-0 in the first group match, it was during the second group match against Senegal’s Ibrahima Diaw that Aruna Quadri copped the injury, but he managed to finish the game which went 4-2 in favour of the Senegalese. But based on doctor’s advice, Quadri had to withdraw from playing the last group match which victory would have secured him a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
From all indications, it is clear that the Nigerian can still pick his spot at Tokyo based on his world rating as the 18th best player in the world.
However, the Oyo State-born 2014 ITTF World Player of the Year expressed his appreciation to fans across the world for their concern when he sustained the injury and withdrew from the Olympic Qualifiers in Tunis.
“I want to thank my family and fans across the world for their support during this trying time. Most importantly, the Tunisia Table Tennis Federation (TTTF) for their prompt response when I sustained the injury,” Quadri said.
The three weeks will help me to recover and I hope to be back for Sporting in the semifinal of the ETTU Cup early next month. Thank you and I will continue to make you proud and always give my 100 percent every time.”
