LAGOS, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- Nigeria's table tennis star Aruna Quadri broke a five year jinx in Lagos on Sunday, winning the men's singles event of the 2018 Seamaster ITTF Nigeria Open, defeating France's Hachard Antoine by four sets to two (11-13, 11-3, 8-11, 11-7, 11-5, 11-7).
The star told reporters in Lagos that it was a dream come true for him to win the competition that started in 2013.
Quadri added that his victory was also made possible by the love and support given to him by the fans.
"This is my second finals in this challenge series and I am proud to be the first Nigerian to lift the trophy at home," he added.
Quadri lost to Egyptian player Omar Assar in the final of 2016 edition.
In the women's singles, China's Guo Yan defeated her compatriot, Sun Chen 4-3 (7-11, 11-6, 11-5, 7-11,9-11,11-4, 12-10).
The winners in both men's and women's singles finals receive 5,000 U.S. dollars each, while the runners-up receive 2,500 dollars.
Meanwhile, the organizers said the upgrade of the money-spinning competition to "Challenge Plus" was the biggest feat ever achieved by the tournament.
Olalekan Okunsan, a spokesperson for the tournament, said in Lagos that the competition was now the toast of many table tennis players to get ranked from the international regulatory body of table tennis, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF).
The ITTF Challenge was awarded Challenge Plus on Wednesday through a statement from the world body.
The 2018 edition has 148 players from 27 countries and regions slugging it out to cart away the 46,000 U.S. dollars prize money.
Nigeria's 18th ranked player Aruna Quadri was among the homers who jostled for honors with players from other teams. Players from more than 20 countries and regions took part in the 2018 edition. Enditem
