The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Jura Morez

  • Aruna Quadri may set new world table tennis record

    Aruna Quadri may set new world table tennis record

    Record setting Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri is inching closer to inking another feat when the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) releases the February 2017 ranking.

    In 2016, Quadri set unprecedented records after becoming the first African to qualify for the quarterfinal stage of the men’s singles of table tennis event of the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil as well as the only table tennis player from the continent to be ranked 25th in the ITTF world ranking.

    However, a new record may be in the offing for the Oyo State-born athlete in 2017 after his exceptional performance at the just concluded ITTF World Tour tagged Hungarian Open where his quarterfinal berth may have earned him some crucial ranking points that will push his ranking up the ladder when the February rating is released next week by the world table tennis ruling body.

    Seeded number nine in the men’s singles of the Hungarian Open, Quadri beat two of the world’s best from Germany and the Czech Republic to become the only African to ever made it far in the history of the Hungarian Open.

    Having started the year as world’s number 25th, Quadri’s imminent rise will be officially confirmed on February 1 with the expected new ranking for February.

    Meanwhile, the 2014 ITTF Star Player will lead his French club – Jura Morez against Villeneuve, which has French internationals Adrien Mattenet, Antoine Hachard and Stéphane Ouaiche in the elite French league on January 21.

    [blog_posts style=”m1″ share=”on” display=”tag” tag=”Aruna Quadri” count=”6″ pagination=”on” ad_count=”5″]

  • French league: Quadri inspires Jura Morez victory in opener

    French league: Quadri inspires Jura Morez victory in opener

    Fired up by his world rating, Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri single-handedly inspired Jura Morez to an away victory in the French Table Tennis league opener late on Tuesday in Paris.

    Quadri, whose world ranking soared to 25 after his scintillating performance at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, was in fine form against the home team – Hennebont, which has England’s Pitchford Liam.

    Having missed most of the matches for Jura Morez last season due to his involvement in the 2015 African Games, Quadri became the hero for his team when his two wins against Liam and China’s Chen Chien An aided his team 3-1 overall win.

    It was the home team that took the first game when Liam overcame Quadri’s teammate- China’s Zhen Wang 3-1.

    And in the second game, Quadri restored parity for Jura Morez when he overwhelmed Chien An 3-1 to restore parity for his team.

    Andre Silva increased the lead for Jura Morez when he fought well to beat Robinot Quentin 3-2 to give Quadri’s team a 2-1 lead.

    Knowing that a victory would ascertain their away victory, Quadri put up an excellent performance against Liam with a 3-2 (11-13, 11-9, 11-7, 13-15, 11-7) win to confirm their league opener victory.

    An elated Quadri said he was happy that they were able to claim the victory away as this would boost their confidence in the second league match at home against La Romagne.

    “This is a sweet victory and we were determined to send a warning signal to all other teams that we are really going to be a title contender this season. It was not an easy match but I am happy that grateful to God that we won,” he said.

  • Quadri leads Morez in French league opener

    Quadri leads Morez in French league opener

    Aruna Quadri will return to where he ended last season with Jura Morez in the elite division of the French table tennis league as the Rio 2016 Olympic Games quarter finalist leads his team against Hennebont in the league opener today, Tuesday September 6.

    Starting their campaign away to the star-studded Hennebont coached by Boris Abraham and led by Japanese star, Niwa Koki as well as Greece’s Kalinikos Kreanga, France’s Quentin Robinot and Czech Republic’s Dmitrij Prokopcov.

    Quadri, who single-handedly saved Jura Morez from relegation last season, will have his hand full against their opponent, but he will also rely on the efforts of his teammates – Carlos Machado, Zhen Wang and Andre Silva.

    A determined Quadri who returned to training few days after returning from Rio 2016 Olympic Games believes Jura Morez would be stronger this year.

    “We have added new player to boost the team and I am confident that what befell us last year would happen again because we did not start well. But this season, we are poised not to be fighting to remain in the top division this year and that is why we want to start well.

    “Again, this season, I am starting the league with the team because last season when the league began, I was away in Congo Brazzaville for the African Games. I am willing to help the team that gave me the first opportunity to play in the top European league,” Quadri told NationSport.

  • Quadri, Abiodun for ITTF World Tour in Hungary

    Quadri, Abiodun for ITTF World Tour in Hungary

    Nigeria’s players will be present when the first International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) World Tour tagged Hungarian Open serves off tomorrow with Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun competing in the men’s singles and doubles events.

    Already, Quadri has been listed among the 32 seeded players in the men’s singles while Abiodun will begin his campaign from the preliminary stage in order to secure a place in the main draw.

    However, before joining his compatriot, Quadri will lead his team – Jura Morez against Angers Vaillante in the French Premier League.

    The 2014 ITTF Star Player who departed his based in Lisbon, Portugal to France yesterday is hoping for another good outing against the star-studded Angers Vaillante side made up of top players like Sweden’s Jen Lundqvist and Jon Persson as well as France’s Christophe Legout and China’s Chen Jian.

    “I think I want to do well in the ITTF World Tour this year and reclaim my title in Africa as well as help Nigeria to do well at the World Championship. These are my priorities for this year and I believe with more hardwork and God’s grace, it will be achievable,” Quadri told NationSport.

    In the list of seeding, Quadri is rated number six and he will be campaigning from the main draw while he partner Abiodun to compete in the doubles event.

    The Hungarian Open is one of the major series tournament in the ITTF World Tour and it will take place in the capital city of Budapest from Wednesday January 20 to 24.

    [news_box style=”2″ display=”tag” link_target=”_blank” tag=”ITTF” count=”8″ show_more=”on” show_more_type=”link”]

  • Quadri inspires Morez to first win in French League

    Quadri inspires Morez to first win in French League

    • Gives up on title chase

    The atmosphere was tensed and both teams knew what was at stake but it was Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri that saved the day for Jura Morez as the team claimed their first win to steer off relegation zone in the premiership division of the French Table Tennis League.

    Being the sixth match of the league, Morez are rooted on the bottom of the league table having lost all their previous five matches but things changed for better on Tuesday after Quadri and Wang Zhen performance in the encounter against Rouen took the team from the bottom of the league table.

    From the start of the tie, Zhiwen He Cheng could not withstand Jesus Cantero Juncal as the Chinese-born Spaniard lost 7-11, 12-10, 13-11, 9-11 to give Rouen a 1-0lead.

    However, Quadri restored the match for Morez as he battered Tan Ruiwu 11-9, 11-8, 12-10. Wang Zhen increased the lead for Morez as he overcame compatriot Shi Wei Dong 11-7, 12-10, 10-12, 11-6.

    As an inspiration to the team, Quadri took the lead beyond their opponent as he was stretched to limit by Jesus Cantero Juncal but it was the 2014 ITTF Star Player that have an edge with 3-11, 9-11, 11-9, 11-7, 12-10 win.

    Despite Zhiwen second loss, Wang Zhen completed the 4-2 rout by Morez as he walloped Tan Ruiwu 11-9, 11-6, 11-3 to give Morez overall 4-2.

    According to Quadri, the win has taken the pressure off the team. “There was a little sign of relief after our first league win last night. It was not an easy win for us as both teams fought harder for about four hours. The fans were so happy for the win. I was so happy last night for contributing to team success. I felt so great for winning two matches for my team as well and this will not get to my head as I will continue working harder. After losing first five matches, it’s going to be very difficult to contest for the title but we are not losing hope. Our focus now is to keep improving individually in order not to relegate,” he admitted.

    He added: “The win means that we are going out of relegation zone step by step and we will surely remain in first league. It also means that we are now moving to position nine from position 10.”

    The Oyo State-born athlete admitted that playing in the French league would surely improve his game. “I must confess, there is a big difference, French league comprises of top 100 players of the world while Portuguese league has no player in top 100 except me.
    Playing in the league has really improved my game step by step.
    Here in France nobody is sure of victory against any player but in Portugal I am always sure of victory against some certain players.”

    “My target is to lift the team more than their position last season.
    One of my targets is also to give my best and convince the team fans and team president in order to have another opportunity to play in the same team next season. Another target is to win above 50 percent in my matches and I really believe that it’s very possible as am now getting used to the system of play in French league,” he explained.