Rising Stars Ensure Nigeria’s Domination of West Africa Table Tennis Championship

Nigeria dominated the ITTF West Africa Regional Table Tennis Championship in Togo by claiming the men’s and women’s singles crowns at the weekend.

Emerging talents and African Games medalists, Matthew Kuti and Hope Udoaka made mince meat of their opponents by respectively winning the men’s and women’s titles in the West Africa Regional Championship.

Despite fielding a team of junior players, the reigning champions Nigeria successfully defended her titles in both categories as well as the women’s team to emerge top performers at the 2024 West Africa Qualification Championships.

Kuti emerged as the West African Champion, following his incredible triumph over Ivorien Oba Oba Kizito 4-1 (11-5, 4-11, 11-7, 12-10, 11-7) in the men’s singles final in Lome.

The 2024 Africa Games Bronze medallist was in remarkable shape throughout the singles, recording a notable 4-0 victory over home favourites Fanny Kokou and Mawussi Agbetoglo in the round of 16 and semi-finals respectively before ultimately claiming the championship over 2019 champion Oba on Saturday night.

In the women’s singles, another Nigerian protege, Hope Udoaka was unstoppable, dominating her opponents without dropping a single set en route to victory.

Following Udoaka’s contribution to Nigeria’s success in the women’s team event a day before, the reigning West Africa University champion dominated the final against the more experienced Ajoke Ojomu to secure a comprehensive 4-0 win (12-10, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9) over the 2023 finalist.

The three day tournament saw participation from over 32 men and 29 women representing countries like Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Nigeria, Senegal, and host nation Togo.

The winners in Lome will compete against other regional champions on the big stage at the 2024 African Championships, scheduled to be held in Ethiopia later this year.