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Bouloussa Salutes Aruna Quadri After Thrilling ITTF Africa Cup Semi-Final
Algerian table tennis star Mehdi Bouloussa has praised Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri after edging him 4–3 in a pulsating semi-final at the ITTF Africa Cup.
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The closely contested encounter lived up to expectations, with both players already assured of qualification for the ITTF World Cup. Despite that, neither held back, producing a high-quality duel that swung momentum several times before Bouloussa clinched the decisive game.
“It felt really good to win a match like this,” Bouloussa said. “Aruna is a legend of African table tennis. Playing against him is always tough, and this one demanded everything from me.”
Quadri, a multiple African champion and one of the continent’s most accomplished players, pushed Bouloussa to the limit with his trademark power and intensity.
The Algerian admitted that overcoming the Nigerian in such circumstances made the victory even more special.
“When you beat a player of Aruna’s calibre, it gives you confidence,” he added. “Even though we both had already qualified for the World Cup, we wanted to test ourselves at the highest level.”
The match was widely regarded as one of the highlights of the tournament, underlining the growing depth and competitiveness of African table tennis.
For Quadri, the narrow defeat did little to diminish his standing, as he once again demonstrated why he remains a benchmark for players across the continent.
Both athletes will now turn their attention to the ITTF World Cup, where they are expected to carry Africa’s hopes against the world’s elite.
The semi-final clash not only showcased technical brilliance and mental resilience but also symbolised the healthy rivalry driving African table tennis forward on the global stage.
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