Nigeria’s Paralympic Table Tennis Team Gears Up for Medal Glory at Paris 2024
Nigeria’s Paralympic Table Tennis Team Eyes Medals at Paris 2024 Games
As the table tennis event of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begins on Thursday, August 29, Nigeria’s eight-member squad, led by head coach Nasiru Sule, is poised to make the nation proud. The team, consisting of six men and two women, will compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events, aiming to add to Nigeria’s impressive Paralympic legacy.
Ifechukwude Christiana Ikpeoyi Nigeria Commonwealth 2022-1
Nigeria has a rich history in Paralympic table tennis, boasting two gold and three bronze medals since their first triumph at Atlanta 1996. Sule, a bronze medalist from the Atlanta Games, believes that the team’s rigorous preparation in Nigeria and Germany has positioned them for success in Paris. “We’ve had one of our best preparations this year, with training camps starting in June before heading to Germany. This gave us ample time to refine our tactics. This will be the most competitive Paralympic Games yet, but we are ready to face the challenge head-on. To be the best, you have to beat the best,” said Sule.
Kayode Alabi, Table tennis, Nigeria
Among the athletes, Isau Ogunkunle, the reigning African champion in Men’s Singles Class 4, is determined to improve on his quarterfinal finish from Tokyo 2020. “Tokyo was a valuable experience, and I’m better prepared for Paris. The technical crew has given us insights into our potential opponents, and I’m confident that I’ll bring something home from Paris,” said the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist.
The women’s team includes Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi (Class 5) and Faith Bazuaye (Class 10), while the men’s team features Ogunkunle (Class 4), Kayode Alabi (Class 6), Abiola Adesope (Class 9), Bolawa Akingbemisilu (Class 5), Victor Farinloye (Class 8), and four-time Paralympian Olufemi Alabi (Class 10).
Isau Ogunkunle
The Para table tennis competition will take place at the South Paris Arena, running from August 29 to September 7. This year’s Paralympics will see the return of doubles events for the first time since 1976, including men’s and women’s doubles for both wheelchair and standing athletes, as well as mixed doubles events. However, there will be no doubles events for athletes in Class 11.
Unlike previous Games, which featured group stages followed by knockout rounds, this year’s events will use a straightforward knockout format from the outset. The competition begins with the doubles events, while the singles matches will start on Sunday, September 1. A total of 181 athletes will compete for top honors in Paris, each striving to make history on the Paralympic stage.
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