Kuti Knocks Omotayo Out of Nigeria’s Top 2 in Latest ITTF Rankings

Matthew Kuti has officially displaced 2019 African Games champion Olajide Omotayo as Nigeria’s No. 2 male table tennis player in the newly released ITTF World Rankings, marking a major shift in the country’s pecking order.

The 25-year-old rising star surged six places to 194th globally following his dominant victory at the 2025 West Africa Regional Championships in Lagos, where he earned a crucial 75 ranking points. Additional points from the World Championships in Doha (10) and WTT Contender Lagos (4) brought his total to 89—enough to push past his compatriot.

Omotayo, once a continental heavyweight, suffered a stunning 37-place collapse to 198th after early exits in recent tournaments. With just 78 points, he now faces the real risk of tumbling out of the top 200 entirely—a dramatic fall for the former African champion.

Aruna Reclaims African Dominance
In a parallel development, Quadri Aruna (+3 to 21st) wrestled back his position as Africa’s top-ranked player with 1,185 points, overtaking Egypt’s Omar Assar. The resurgence comes despite Aruna’s competitive hiatus since July’s U.S. Smash, aided by the ITTF’s rolling ranking system that phased out older points from rivals.

Other Nigerian Movers

• Abdulbasit Abdulfatai (+2 to 205th): Scored all 74 points in Lagos events

• Taiwo Mati (held at 213th): Most active Nigerian with 60 points from 5 tournaments

• Muizz Adegoke (+2 to 232nd): Building momentum with 59 points

Women’s Standings
Fatimo Bello (-17 to 134th) retains her status as Nigeria’s top female player despite the slide, while Ajoke Ojomu’s (+5 to 153rd) West Africa title fueled her rise. Aminat Fashola (174th) rounds out the top three.

With critical Olympic qualification windows approaching, these rankings could reshape Nigeria’s table tennis landscape.