Nigeria showcased an outstanding performance in the Valuejet ITTF Lagos Para Open, securing victory in all categories and taking home all the medals at stake.
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The tournament, which lasted for three days and received ITTF sanction as a Factor 20 World Ranking event, featured athletes from India, Uganda, Benin Republic, South Africa, and Togo.
The Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium served as the backdrop for this remarkable display of Nigerian excellence.
The nation’s Paralympians, many of whom are set to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympics, asserted their dominance in various events.
Notably, Bolawa Akingbemisilu emerged as one of the standout athletes of the tournament.
Akingbemisilu, who holds the title of African champion in class five, claimed success in the singles event. He partnered with Egbinola Oluade to secure the gold in men’s doubles class 4-8 and joined forces with Chineye Obiora to clinch the top prize in mixed doubles class 10.
The men’s doubles victory meant that Oluade left the tournament with two titles, having already triumphed in the men’s singles class 1-3. Similarly, Abiola Adesope and Temitore Adris each achieved a double title victory.
Adesope paired with Aishat Raji to secure the mixed doubles class 20 gold after his success in the men’s singles class 6-7.
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Temitope Idris, partnered with Precious Okafor, won women’s doubles class 14-20 and, alongside Tajudeen Agunbiade, claimed the mixed doubles class 14-17 title.
These victories hold particular significance as they guarantee the athletes’ spots in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, following their successful outcomes at the ITTF Africa Para Championships in Egypt the previous month.
Notably, there was no shortage of impressive performances in the tournament. Isau Ogunkule triumphed in the men’s singles class 4, Kayode Alabi prevailed in class 6, Victor Farinloye secured victory in class 8, and Alabi Olufemi succeeded in class 10.
In the women’s singles events, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi maintained her form, winning the class 4-5 title.
In the remaining women’s singles events, emerging talents made their mark on the international stage, with Nosimot Ganiu winning class 1-3, Kafayat Olaitan succeeding in class 6-8, and Maryam Popoola securing victory in class 9-10.
Agunbiade and Francis Chukwuemeka added to Nigeria’s triumph by claiming gold in men’s doubles class 14-18.
The exceptional performances of Nigeria’s Paralympians underscore the nation’s strength and depth in the sport of table tennis, setting a high bar for future competitions.
