Nigeria Athletes

**Aruna Quadri: Nigerian Table Tennis Champion** Quadri Akinade Aruna, widely known as Aruna Quadri, or by his nicknames "Rocky Aruna" or "Quadri Balboa," is a highly celebrated Nigerian professional table tennis player. He is recognized as one of the most prominent athletes in African table tennis history, having achieved multiple continental titles and becoming the first African player to be ranked in the world's top 10. **Early Life and Education** Aruna Quadri was born on August 9, 1988, in Ojo, Oyo, Nigeria. His early life involved a strong focus on both academics and sports. He attended LA School New Durban for his primary education before proceeding to Oba Adeyemi Grammar School in Oyo Town. During his time at Oba Adeyemi High School, Aruna began to represent his school, the Oyo East Local Government Area, and Oyo State in various table tennis competitions, setting the foundation for his professional career. He is married to fellow table tennis player Aruna Olateju Ganiyat, and they have three children. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Aruna's career saw him rise from a formidable national player to a global contender. He is known for his aggressive, attacking playing style. A pivotal moment in his career was his performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where he entered as seed number 27. He became the first African player to reach the quarter-finals of the men's singles event at the Olympic Games, solidifying his status on the international stage. Aruna Quadri is a dominant force in African table tennis, holding seven African Championship titles, including twice in singles, three times in doubles, and twice in team events. He has also competed in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Summer Olympics. On the professional circuit, he has secured three singles titles and one doubles title. **Notable Milestones and Rankings** A significant career milestone occurred in May 2022 when Aruna Quadri reached his highest world ranking of number 10, making history as the first player from Africa to achieve a top 10 world ranking in table tennis. His professional club affiliation is with Gazprom Fakel Orenburg. **Current Status** As of July 2025, Aruna Quadri maintains a high position in the world rankings (currently 24) and continues to actively represent Nigeria in major international competitions, including the African Games and the ITTF World Tour events. He remains a key figure in promoting the sport in Nigeria and across the African continent.

40K+ followers

Ese Brume is a highly decorated Nigerian track and field athlete who specializes in the long jump. She is recognized globally for her significant achievements, including two World Championships medals and an Olympic medal, establishing herself as one of Africa's most successful long jumpers. Early Life and Career Emergence Ese Brume was born in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria. She first gained national attention at the 2012 Nigerian Athletics Championships. She initially competed in the triple jump as a junior athlete before focusing on the long jump event where she achieved rapid success. Career Progression and Major Achievements Brume's senior international career took off in 2014 when she won the gold medal in the long jump at the Commonwealth Games. This was followed by multiple victories at the African Championships in Athletics, securing three consecutive long jump titles, a feat that makes her the only athlete to do so. She is also a five-time African junior champion. A pivotal moment in her career came in 2019 when she won the bronze medal in the long jump at the World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar, with a jump of 6.91 m. This medal was Nigeria's only medal at the competition and the nation's first since 2013. Olympic and World Stage Success Brume continued her success on the global stage, earning a bronze medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo (held in 2021) with a jump of 6.97 m. She is the first African athlete to win two long jump medals at the World Athletics Championships. In 2022, Brume achieved the silver medal at both the World Indoor Championships and the World Championships. That same year, she became the first African woman in history to record four legal jumps over 7.00m, marking her jump of 7.05 m as the second-best African performance in history at the time. She holds the African record in the long jump with a distance of 7.17m, achieved on May 29, 2021. Current Status Ese Brume remains an active and influential figure in Nigerian and international athletics, continuing to train and compete at the highest levels, including the 2024 African Championships in Athletics where she continued to add to her title collection.

200K+ followers

**Funke Oshonaike: Nigerian Table Tennis Legend** Olufunke Oshonaike is a Nigerian professional table tennis player, widely regarded as one of Africa's most decorated athletes in the sport. Her career is distinguished by her longevity, competitive spirit, and record-breaking participation in the Olympic Games, solidifying her status as an iconic figure in Nigerian and African sports. **Early Life and Education** Oshonaike began her table tennis journey at a very young age in the early 1980s, starting on Akeju Street in Shomolu, Lagos, Nigeria. She attended Community Primary School (now Ola-Olu Primary School, Agunbiade, Shomolu, Lagos), where her talent was first formally recognized after winning a school competition in Primary 4. Driven by her passion for the sport, she rose through the local ranks before moving abroad to further her career and training. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Oshonaike's professional career began to take shape in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She dominated the African table tennis scene, winning numerous titles across the continent. Her major international breakthrough came through her consistent performance at continental and global events. A defining aspect of her career is her unprecedented participation in the Olympic Games. She is the first African woman across all sports to compete in seven Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020/2021). This achievement makes her one of the most enduring athletes in the history of the sport globally. Her major achievements include: * **African Games (All-Africa Games):** She has been a consistent medalist, including winning the Women's Singles gold medal at the 1995 All-Africa Games in Harare, Zimbabwe. * **African Championships:** She has secured multiple titles, establishing her as the premier female player in Africa for decades. * **Olympic Games Flagbearer:** She had the distinguished honor of being Nigeria's flagbearer at the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.**Notable Works and Impact** Beyond her athletic achievements, Funke Oshonaike is a role model and mentor. She has used her platform to advocate for gender equality in sports and to inspire young African athletes. She is known for her resilience and dedication, maintaining a high level of performance late into her career despite minimal institutional support, often competing against much younger players. Her memoir, *Funke Oshonaike: The Nigerian Table Tennis Queen*, details her journey and challenges. **Current Status** Funke Oshonaike is currently based in Germany, where she continues to be actively involved in table tennis, both as a player and a coach. Although her competitive appearances have become selective, she remains a prominent figure in the international table tennis community. She continues her work as a motivational speaker and mentor, focusing on empowering the next generation of African athletes and promoting the development of table tennis in Nigeria.

20K+ followers

**Tobi Amusan: Nigerian Track and Field Athlete** Oluwatobiloba "Tobi" Ayomide Amusan (born April 23, 1997) is a prominent Nigerian track and field athlete specializing in the 100 meters hurdles and also competing as a sprinter. She is globally recognized as a trailblazer for Nigerian and African athletics, holding major world and continental records in her signature event. **Early Life and Education** Tobi Amusan was born and raised in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. She is the youngest of three children. She attended Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School in her hometown. Amusan’s athletic potential was recognized early, but her career progression truly accelerated after she moved to the United States for her collegiate career. She attended the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where she became a standout NCAA athlete. In May 2023, Amusan earned a Master of Arts degree in Leadership Studies and Sports Management from UTEP. **Career Progression and Major Achievements** Amusan’s professional career saw a rapid ascent marked by numerous continental and global successes. Her breakthrough came at the 2015 African Junior Athletics Championships, where she won gold in the 100m hurdles. Her major achievements include: * **World Record Holder:** Amusan set a new world record in the 100m hurdles semi-finals at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, running 12.12 seconds. * **World Champion:** She followed her world record performance by winning the gold medal in the 100m hurdles final at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, making her the first Nigerian athlete to win a World Championship gold. * **Commonwealth Games:** She is a two-time Commonwealth Games champion in the 100m hurdles, winning gold in 2018 and 2022. * **African Champion:** Amusan has dominated the event on the continent, securing multiple gold medals at the African Championships and setting the African record in the 100m hurdles.**Notable Works and Current Status** Beyond her medal wins, Amusan's consistent performance has established her as a key figure in international athletics, consistently ranking among the top hurdlers globally. Her 2022 World Championship victory and world record set a new benchmark for speed in the event. As of her most recent appearances, she continues to compete at the elite level in major international competitions, representing Nigeria and maintaining her status as one of the world's premier 100m hurdles specialists.

1M+ followers