Nigerian badminton star Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori has reaffirmed his dominance in African badminton, securing his seventh continental title with a commanding 2-0 (21-7, 23-21) victory over Egypt’s Adham Hatem Elgamal in the men’s singles final of the All-Africa Senior Badminton Championship in Douala, Cameroon, on Sunday.
Defending his crown, Opeyori showcased an impressive run throughout the tournament, beginning with a straight-set win over Algeria’s M. Ouchefoun in the Round of 32.
He continued his dominance in the Round of 16 against Reunion’s T. Cougouille before battling past Mauritius’ J. Bongout in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory.
His semifinal match saw him overpower Morocco’s Bourroum P. Nolem in two straight sets, setting up a final clash with Elgamal.
In the championship match, Opeyori displayed his experience and skill, cruising through the first set 21-7 before fending off a spirited challenge from Elgamal in the second set, eventually sealing the title 23-21.
With this triumph, Opeyori has now claimed the All-Africa Senior Badminton Championships title five consecutive times (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025) and boasts two All-Africa Games gold medals (2019, 2023/2024), bringing his total individual continental titles to seven.
Reacting to his achievement, an elated Opeyori credited his success to hard work and perseverance.
“This victory means a lot to me. The tournament was tough, but I stayed focused and gave my best in every match. Coming in as the defending champion, I knew the competition would be intense, but I was determined to retain my title,” he said.
“Winning my seventh African gold is a huge milestone, and I’m grateful to my coaches, teammates, the Nigerian Badminton Federation, and the National Sports Commission for their unwavering support. I hope this inspires younger players to strive for excellence,” he added.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, hailed Opeyori’s consistency and remarkable contributions to Nigerian badminton.
“Anuoluwapo Opeyori has once again proven why he is Africa’s best. His dedication, discipline, and winning mentality continue to elevate Nigerian badminton.
This victory is not just for him but for the entire country. We are incredibly proud of his achievements and remain committed to supporting him and other players as we prepare for more international competitions,” Orbih stated.
He further applauded Team Nigeria’s efforts at the tournament, where the nation fielded 10 athletes (five men and five women) across five categories.
Nigeria finished with three medals—one gold and two bronze. The mixed doubles pair of Ukeh Deborah and Alhaji Aliyu Shehu claimed bronze against Egypt, while the men’s doubles duo of Ikechukwu Victor and Emmanuel Joseph secured bronze against Algeria.
The six-day championship, held from February 10-16, highlighted Nigeria’s growing presence in African badminton, with Opeyori leading the charge in yet another historic triumph.
