Nigeria dominates Valuejet/ITTF Lagos Para Open

Nigeria dominated the Valuejet/ITTF Lagos Para Open, winning all the medals on offer.

The three-day tournament was concluded at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium at the weekend.

Bolawa Akingbemisilu was the most successful athlete at the tournament, winning three gold medals in the men’s singles class 5, men’s doubles class 4-8, and mixed doubles class 10.

Other Nigerian athletes who won multiple gold medals include Egbinola Oluade (men’s singles class 1-3 and men’s doubles class 4-8), Abiola Adesope (men’s singles class 6-7 and mixed doubles class 20), and Temitope Idris (women’s doubles class 14-20 and mixed doubles class 14-17).

In the women’s singles events, Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi won the class 4-5 title, while Nosimot Ganiu, Kafayat Olaitan, and Maryam Popoola won classes 1-3, 6-8, and 9-10 respectively.

The only remaining gold medal went to Tajudeen Agunbiade and Francis Chukwuemeka in the men’s doubles class 14-18.

Nigeria’s performance at the Valuejet ITTF Lagos Para Open is a testament to the country’s growing strength in para table tennis.

The Nigerian athletes will be looking to continue their success at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.