Quadri inspired me to win ITTF Junior title —Mati

Taiwo Mati outstanding in Cairo (Photo: courtesy of Egyptian Table Tennis Federation)

Nigeria’s Taiwo Mati, winner of two gold medals at the just-ended ITTF Junior Open in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, has said that reigning ITTF-Africa Cup champion, Aruna Quadri inspired him to achieve the feat.

The 12-year-old debutant who was not seeded at the continental championship proved many bookmakers wrong as he emerged tops in the Cadet and Hopes Boys singles.

Mati said the inspiration from Nigeria’s all-time best and first African to win the men’s singles title at the 2017 ITTF Challenge Polish Open, Quadri propelled him to excellence in Egypt.

“I have taken my time to watch Aruna Quadri, I noticed that he is very hardworking and very humble. He plays with a lot of confidence regardless of the pedigree of his opponent. These are some of the qualities that I made use of when I was in Egypt and I just hope I can continue to compete at international level,” the Ondo State-born rising star who was adjudged the most improved player at the 2017 ITTF Nigeria Open said.

Mati, before his opponent’s teeming fans silenced home boy Youssef Ehab in the semi-final of the Cadet Boys’ Singles (11-5, 11-8, 13-11), while he conquered Tunisian and top seed, Youssef Ben Attia to grab the gold in a game which ended 11-7, 11-3, 13-15, 11-9, 11-7.

Also, the National Youth Games (NYG) singles champion in the Hopes Boys’ category, Mati, silenced another Egyptian Moamen Salaheldin 11-1, 14-12, 11-6 in the final.

Meanwhile, the hosts later got consolation as Mohamed Azzam teamed up with Tunisian Youssef Ben Attia to win the Cadet Boys doubles.