Quadri Aruna on son following his footsteps, bringing through the next generation

The name Quadri Aruna is a familiar one to table tennis fans around the globe. Now approaching 38 years old, the Nigerian has been a trailblazer for his continent, as the first African to reach the quarter-finals at the Olympic Games and World Championships.

Perhaps, then, it wasn't a surprise when earlier this year, 10-year-old Junior Aruna won multiple medals at the WTT Youth Contender level. Those medals include bronze at the Under-13 level, an Under-11 silver in Luxembourg, and an Under-11 silver in Metz, among other events.

However, Junior isn't the only young Aruna in the family making waves, with both his sisters also taking steps into the sport. All three are trained by their mother, Ganiyat.

Speaking to Olympics.com at the recent World Team Table Tennis Championships Finals in London, Quadri said his children were not made to follow in his footsteps. "Of course, he saw that I've been playing table tennis for years and he really wanted to do the same.

"But it's a matter of choice, he was not forced to start playing table tennis. He just decided to do this, and he's trying to enjoy himself – and I'm fully ready to give him all kinds of support I can.

"My wife is his coach, sometimes I'm his training partner. We're both trying our best and we want the best for him – he really wants to be a table tennis player and we will give it whatever it takes to help him grow and develop."

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Quadri Aruna building the next generation

Aruna's children are not the only ones benefiting from Aruna senior's expertise. He's doing even more, with the next generation of Nigerian prospects also learning from the country's best.

"I started an academy, in a different part of Nigeria, four years ago now. I am trying to give back to the sport of table tennis in Nigeria, to support as many young kids as possible, so that we can have better players in the future."

That Aruna Sport Academy has locations in both Lagos and Abuja, respectively the largest and capital cities of Nigeria. "I'm trying to give support to the sport of table tennis in Nigeria, this is the future," Quadri added.

That's not to say the veteran has plans to call it quits just yet. Despite shaky recent form which has led to questions from sections of the Nigerian sports press, Aruna is insistent that he is still capable. After all, Nigeria has in the past produced the likes of Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike, who both played top-level table tennis into their 40s.

"In sports there will be ups and there will be downs," he said. "Sometimes it's going very, very well, and sometimes it's not going very well, but it's sports. I will keep going – (physically speaking) it's really not the same, it doesn't feel like before, but of course you have to keep going until you really want to stop. So I will keep fighting.

"You know, in table tennis we've had several players in the top world events at the age of 40," he added. "In August, I will be 38. I think I can try one more Olympics and see what will happen."

Role model and "You can do this!" advice

The theme for this year's Olympic Day Let's Move 2026 campaign is "You can do this!". It's something Aruna wants to stress, not only to the players coming up behind him in Nigeria and also his academy students, but also anyone around the world.

"I think [table tennis development in Nigeria] used to be much better during the time of Segun Toriola and the previous set of players, but I think I can of course still be some kind of role model to them.

"You know, it's just about – no matter where you come from – everything is possible. You can actually become whoever you want to be in sports if you really believe and work tirelessly.

"It's all about belief and never giving up. Because even when you have it all and you give up, you can actually lose it all.

"So no matter what, don't give up. Keep fighting and you can become it."

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