Nigeria’s rising star, Taiwo Mati, failed in his bid to reach the round of 16 at the ongoing 2023 ITTF World Table Tennis Championships in Durban, South Africa, The PUNCH reports.
The 18-year-old lost all four sets 11-3, 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 to North Korea’s Jang Woojin in the round of 32 on Tuesday.
The Nigerian won a total of 22 points with 13 coming from his serves and nine from Woojin’s serves.
Mati also won nine points from his opponent’s serve.
Speaking after his defeat, Mati, said, “Honestly, I do not know what to say, I am just speechless. It is my first time playing in the World Championships and it is like a dream come true for me to reach this stage.”
On Tuesday, Aruna Quadri also lost 4-3 (11-8,11-9,8-11,3-11, 9-11,11-3, 8-11) to Alvaro Robles.
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