Nigeria’s table tennis sensation Aruna Quadri faced a tough defeat in his quest for the gold medal at the 2023 African Games.

The final of the men’s singles event on Tuesday saw Aruna pitted against his Egyptian counterpart, Omar Assar.

Despite a resilient effort from Aruna, Omar Assar staged a remarkable comeback, ultimately triumphing 4-3 in the thrilling final.

Assar’s victory in the decisive moments of the 4th and 6th sets secured his grip on the gold medal and denied Quadri his coveted first African title.

The match unfolded with Assar claiming an 11-8 win in the first set, but Aruna countered strongly, seizing the 2nd and 3rd sets with scores of 11-2, 11-2.

The seesaw battle continued as Omar Assar clinched the 4th set 11-7 to level the playing field.

Aruna responded by securing the 5th set 11-9, intensifying the drama.

In the end, Omar Assar’s mental fortitude shone through as he dominated the last two sets 11-9, 11-0, solidifying his grip on the African title.

This marks Assar’s third consecutive victory over Aruna Quadri in the final of the African Games, showcasing his remarkable consistency and skill on the table.

Notably, Assar’s path to victory included overcoming defending champion Omotayo Olajide in the quarterfinal, further underscoring his dominance in the competition.