Top Nigerian para table tennis players, including Isau Ogunkunle, Bolawa Akingbemisilu, and Faith Obiora, successfully defended their singles titles at the 7th edition of the ValueJet Lagos Para Table Tennis Championships, which concluded on Friday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The week-long tournament, which featured over 150 athletes, drew international participation from Togo and the Benin Republic, with Togo leaving a mark by clinching two bronze medals.
Nigerian Champions Reign Supreme
In the women’s singles, seasoned star Faith Obiora retained her Class 5 title with a dominant performance over Kate Oputa, while Kehinde Lawal, the reigning African champion, secured victory in Class 9.
With defending champion Faith Obazuaye absent from this year’s competition, Ivie Edogiaweire stepped up to claim the Class 10 crown, showcasing impressive skill and determination throughout the tournament.
On the men’s side, Paris 2024 Paralympian Bolawa Akingbemisilu reinforced his continental dominance in Class 5 by dispatching Lekan Abdullahi in a commanding 3-0 final.
Africa’s sole medallist in para table tennis at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Isau Ogunkunle, electrified the crowd with a clinical 3-0 win over Timothy Umeh in the Class 4 final, underlining his form ahead of the global showpiece.
Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Olufemi Alabi also delivered a composed performance to win the men’s Class 10 event.
One of the biggest surprises of the tournament came in Class 9, where Abiola Adesope edged out Paralympic veteran and medallist Tajudeen Agunbiade in a thrilling 3-2 encounter, pulling off one of the standout upsets of the competition.
Togo Impresses Amid Strong Nigerian Dominance
Togo’s Atisso Amele contributed to her country’s medal haul by securing bronze medals in both the women’s singles and doubles Class 5 events, earning plaudits for her consistent play and spirited performances.
ValueJet and Stakeholders Reaffirm Commitment to Para Sports
Since its inception in 2019, the ValueJet Lagos Para Table Tennis Championships has grown into one of Nigeria’s premier platforms for discovering and preparing elite para-athletes, serving as a vital component of national team selection.
Hon. Kunle Soname, Chairman of ValueJet, reiterated the airline’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and supporting athletes with disabilities.
“We believe in the power of sports to transform lives and inspire greatness. ValueJet is proud to stand with Nigeria’s para-athletes and help them reach their full potential on and off the table,” Soname said.
The championship was organised by the Sunday Odebode Para Sport Foundation, with strong backing from the National Sports Commission, further underscoring the growing institutional support for para sports in Nigeria.
Looking Ahead
As preparations continue for the next Paralympic Games, performances at the Lagos tournament have provided a clear picture of Nigeria’s bench strength and medal prospects. The emergence of new stars and the reaffirmation of old guards underscore the nation’s status as a para table tennis powerhouse on the African continent.