Nigerian badminton star, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has extended his sincere appreciation to supporters who stood by him throughout his Paris Olympics journey, despite his premature departure, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
Opeyori has taken note of the consistent backing he received and has stressed his dedication to showcasing African talent in the field of badminton.
At 27 years old and ranked 10th in men’s singles, he encountered tough competition in both of his matches but remained steadfast and unwavering.
Expressing his gratitude in a video shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), he stated, “I appreciate all the support once again. We have demonstrated the capabilities of Africa in the realm of badminton.”
While the outcome may not have been as desired, it symbolized a triumph for Africa. Opeyori reiterated his commitment to relentless effort and striving towards becoming the premier player in Africa and the world. Let’s press on to the next challenge.”
In his second Group N match in the Men’s Singles Badminton event, Opeyori displayed a courageous performance against China’s Li Shi Feng, though he succumbed 2-0 (21-17, 21-17). Despite the loss, he fiercely contested for each point against the sixth-ranked player globally.
This match followed his earlier defeat to Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi, which marked the end of his Olympic journey.
In the initial match, Opeyori encountered a formidable opponent in Kuenzi, who had previously fallen to Li Shi Feng. Kuenzi clinched the closely-fought first set 22-20 and proceeded to secure the second set 21-14, sealing a 2-0 victory.
Reflecting on his experience, Opeyori accentuated the significance of representing Nigeria and Africa on the global platform.
He vowed to persist in his hard work and unwavering dedication towards attaining greater achievements in upcoming competitions, with the ultimate ambition of standing among the finest players in Africa and worldwide.