Aruna seeks redemption and ranking boost at WTT Star Contender Bangkok

Nigerian star Quadri Aruna will take on Japan's Yukida Uda in the second round of the WTT Star Contender Bangkok Men's Singles.

Aruna, seeded fourth, has past experience against Uda, edging him out 4-3 in a thrilling Hong Kong Open match back in 2018.

Uda enters the contest on a high after defeating Portugal's Joao Monteiro (3-2) in the first round at the Huamark Indoor Stadium.

Aruna is coming off a loss to another Japanese player, Sora Matsushima, at the Slovenia leg of the WTT Star Contender.

However, Aruna focus remains on the Paris 2024 Olympics, beyond clinching his first WTT title, Aruna seeks valuable ranking points to improve his seeding for the Olympic Men's Singles draw.

As the reigning African champion, Aruna aims to surpass his Rio 2016 quarterfinal finish and become the first African to reach the Olympic table tennis podium.

The tournament offers a total prize purse of $250,000 and a significant 600 world ranking points to the champions.

While China's Lin Gaoyuan and Chen Xingtong, the 2023 triple crown winners, won't be competing in Paris, they'll be looking to defend their titles here and secure ranking points for future events.