November 11, (THEWILL) – The Iraqi para table tennis team dominated proceedings at the 6th Lagos Valuejet Para Table Tennis Open, which concluded on Saturday at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s competitive landscape.
In a striking contrast to last year’s tournament where Nigerian athletes swept all medals, the 2024 edition saw remarkable performances from international competitors, particularly the Iraqi contingent who maintained formidable form throughout the three-day competition, which has grown from a regional event to an ITTF Factor 20 tournament.
Hadeel Al Waeli led Iraq’s medal charge, maintaining an unbeaten run through to the Women’s Class 1-3 final. Her technical precision and tactical gameplay proved decisive as she overcame Nigeria’s Ifeoma Ezurike with a commanding 3-0 victory (11-3 11-4 11-3). Each set demonstrated Al Waeli’s superior table coverage and strategic ball placement, leaving Ezurike struggling to find answers to her opponent’s varied attack patterns.
Her compatriot, Ali Al Saedi, matched this achievement in the Men’s Class 1-3, displaying exceptional control to also defeat Nigeria’s John Kewejo 3-0 (11-7 11-8 11-3). Al Saedi’s victory was characterised by powerful forehand shots and intelligent use of angles, particularly in the second set where he recovered from a 5-7 deficit to claim the game.
The three-day ITTF Factor 20 tournament brought together 150 para-athletes from nine countries, including the United Kingdom, Iran, Iraq, Cameroon, Benin Republic, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, and host Nigeria. This year’s participation marked a 40% increase from the previous edition, reflecting the tournament’s growing international appeal and importance in the para table tennis calendar.
Nigerian athletes, who dominated the 2023 edition, maintained their competitive edge in several categories this year. Last year’s standout performer, Bolawa Akingbemisilu, who claimed three gold medals in men’s singles class 5, men’s doubles class 4-8, and mixed doubles class 10, continued his winning form by claiming the Men’s Class 5 final against Lekan Abdullahi with a compelling 3-1 victory. The match featured several extended rallies, with Akingbemisilu’s experience proving crucial in the decisive fourth set.
Faith Obazuaye, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the highest level, successfully defended her Women’s Class 9-10 title. Her match against fellow Nigerian Maryam Popoola was epitomised by superior table management and strategic play, resulting in a definitive 3-0 victory. Obazuaye’s defence-to-attack transitions proved particularly effective, allowing her to control the pace throughout the match.
The tournament’s most electrifying encounter came in the Men’s Class 8 final, where Nigeria’s Oluwafemi Fabiyi faced defending champion Victor Farinloye. The five-set thriller kept spectators on edge as momentum shifted between the players. Fabiyi eventually emerged victorious with a nail-biting 3-2 score (11-9 4-11 11-9 4-11 12-10), with the final points drawing standing ovations from the crowd. The decisive set saw multiple lead changes before Fabiyi earned victory with two consecutive winners.
Africa’s sole Paris 2024 Paralympic Games medallist, Isau Ogunkunle, demonstrated why he earned continental recognition in his intense clash with Iraq’s Muntadher Al Sarraji in the Men’s Class 3-4 final. The match exemplified the high-calibre competition present throughout the tournament, with both athletes displaying exceptional skill and determination.
The competitive spirit extended to other categories, with Iranian competitor Gholami taking the Men’s Single Class 9. Despite falling to Nigeria’s Tajudeen Agunbiade in a gripping 3-2 semi-final battle, Gholami took a well-deserved bronze medal back home. The semi-final match featured some of the tournament’s longest rallies, with both players giving fans a show of remarkable defensive skills.
Meanwhile, an engaging contest unfolded in the Women’s Class 7-8 final between Nigeria’s Kafayat Olaitan and Iran’s technical specialist Zahra Namazi, further highlighting the tournament’s international competitiveness.
The ranking points available at this tournament carry significant weight for World Championship qualification. With 20 points at stake, athletes’ performances here directly impact their chances of competing at the 2026 World Championship. This system has transformed the Lagos Open into a crucial stepping stone for para table tennis athletes seeking international recognition and competitive opportunities.
Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee of Nigeria (PCN), emphasised the tournament’s significance. “We have 20 ranking points at stake. This tournament serves as a crucial pathway for European qualification,” Odebode stated, revealing the event’s role in athletes’ development pathways.
ITTF Para Manager Pablo Perez acknowledged Nigeria’s growing influence in the sport: “The performance of Nigerian players in major international competitions demonstrates the country’s dedication. Nigeria is making significant progress, with Isau Ogunkunle being the only African medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.”
Tournament referee Asko Rasinen praised the exceptional standard of play throughout the competition. “The technical quality displayed across all categories reflects the athletes’ dedication to excellence,” Rasinen commented, emphasising the tournament’s importance for accumulating ranking points for major competitions, including the World Championships and Paralympic Games.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
