Ajoke Ojomu defeated Shukurat Aiyelabegan on Saturday to win gold in the women’s singles final of the ITTF Africa West Regional Championship in Lagos.
The tournament is taking place at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
Ojomu beat her compatriot Aiyelabegan in a thrilling 4-0 victory (11-7, 11-8, 11-5, 14-12) to secure the title.
The U.S.-based Ojomu told NAN: “I’m excited but in a lot of pain. It’s really a mixed feeling for me.
“I’m the top-ranked female player here. Playing teammates is always hard because we often face each other on the national team.
“I’m grateful for this win. It’s been a long journey. Reaching the final three times without winning can be very disheartening.
“At the last tournament in Togo, I reached the final but had to retire due to injury. It was heartbreaking.
“Today, I almost suffered the same fate. I felt the pain again, but I pushed through and I’m grateful.
“I thank God, the fans, and the African federation president for giving us a platform to show our talent.
“I also thank Lagos State and Nigeria. I’m proud of myself. My family knows the effort I put in. I’m happy to take this trophy back to the U.S.”
In the men’s final, Mathew Kuti overcame unseeded Abdulfatai Abdubasit 4-2 (7-11, 12-10, 6-11, 12-10, 11-6, 11-6).
Kuti had earlier won the championship in Lome, becoming the first player to defend a West Africa regional title.
Speaking to NAN, Wahid Oshodi, President of the Africa Table Tennis Federation, said fans will be thrilled, and that’s what matters most.
He praised the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and said the focus is on developing new talent for future success.
“It took us 15 years to get Quadri Aruna into the world top 10.
“These new player are even more talented. We haven’t seen this level of giftedness in a long time,” he said.
NAN
