The 2025 WTT Star Contender Ljubljana, a prestigious table tennis tournament hosted in Slovenia, is set to ignite the international stage with intense competition and substantial rewards. Offering a lucrative prize purse of $300,000 and valuable ITTF world ranking points, the event attracts a constellation of top-tier players vying for glory. Among them, Africa’s leading table tennis stars, Quadri Aruna of Nigeria and Hana Goda of Egypt, are poised to make their mark, carrying the hopes of the continent on their shoulders. The tournament, held at the Hala Tivoli, will showcase five thrilling events, culminating in substantial financial and ranking rewards for the champions.
Quadri Aruna, currently ranked 24th globally and seeded 14th in the men’s singles, enters the tournament with high expectations. Having received a bye in the first round, he awaits the victor of the match between Japan’s Shunsuke Togami and China’s Xu Haidong in the round of 32. Aruna’s experience and prowess position him as a formidable contender, capable of upsetting higher-ranked opponents. Alongside Aruna, Hana Goda, Egypt’s rising star and the continent’s most promising female player, is also set to shine. Seeded 15th, Goda also benefits from a first-round bye and will face either Japan’s Sakura Yokoi or South Korea’s Joo Cheonhui in the second round. Both Aruna and Goda embody the growing strength and potential of African table tennis, aiming to elevate the continent’s standing on the global stage.
The men’s singles draw is headlined by the formidable Hugo Calderano of Brazil, fresh off his silver medal achievement at the 2025 World Championships. Calderano returns to Ljubljana as the defending champion, eager to retain his title and solidify his position among the elite. He faces stiff competition from a field of accomplished players, including Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto, winner of the 2025 WTT Star Contender in Doha; France’s Felix Lebrun, who triumphed at the 2024 WTT Champions Montpellier; and the home-crowd favorite, Slovenia’s Darko Jorgic. The clash of these titans promises an electrifying display of skill and athleticism, captivating audiences worldwide.
In the women’s singles, Japan’s Miwa Harimoto enters the tournament as a strong favorite, buoyed by her recent victory at the WTT Star Contender in Chennai. She will be challenged by her compatriot and defending Ljubljana champion, Hina Hayata, adding an intriguing dimension to the competition. The field also boasts a strong contingent of international talent, including South Korea’s Shin Yubin, Romania’s Bernadette Szocs, and China’s Qian Tianyi. Each player brings a unique style and competitive spirit, ensuring a dynamic and unpredictable tournament.
The WTT Star Contender Ljubljana offers significant rewards for the victors. Singles champions will receive a generous $17,000 prize and a substantial boost to their ITTF ranking with 600 points. Doubles champions will also share in the spoils, earning $5,500 and the same number of ranking points. These incentives further intensify the competition, driving athletes to push their limits in pursuit of both financial gain and enhanced global standing. The event’s substantial prize money and ranking points underscore its importance within the table tennis calendar, attracting the best players from around the globe.
The stage is set for a week of thrilling table tennis action in Ljubljana. The tournament promises a captivating display of skill, strategy, and athleticism, featuring a diverse array of international talent. As the world’s top players converge on Slovenia, the competition is sure to be fierce, with every match holding significant implications for rankings and reputations. From seasoned veterans to rising stars, the WTT Star Contender Ljubljana presents a unique opportunity to witness the pinnacle of table tennis prowess, with Quadri Aruna and Hana Goda carrying the hopes of Africa as they strive to make their mark on the global stage.
