Semi-Final Duel: Ogunkunle Eager To Overcome Young-Gun In Paralympics

Semi-Final Duel: Ogunkunle Eager To Overcome Young-Gun In Paralympics

Nigeria’s sole potential medallist in the table tennis event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Isau Ogunkunle has revealed the rationale behind his return to training immediately after his  quarter-final’s  victory  in the Men’s Class 4  over Frenchman Maxime Thomas.

This triumph against the world No. 6 not only earned Ogunkunle a place in the semifinals, but  has also guaranteed him at least a bronze  medal marking a significant achievement for himself and Nigeria

Ahead  of tomorrow’s   crucial semi-final  match, the African champion emphasised the importance of preparation, adding  he remains focused on the ultimate goal.

“I will not be carried away by the victory in the quarterfinal because I am going to face the world No. 2 in the semifinal, and he plays a different style compared to others I have beaten,” Ogunkunle stated.“So, I need to train and be ready for him just like I did before every match in Paris.

“There is no doubt that it is going to be another Herculean task for me but I am ready to shake the table here in Paris because this is the only way to prove to the world what we Nigerians are capable of, despite the exit of my compatriots in Paris.”

Ogunkunle’s journey has been remarkable, starting with a stunning upset over the reigning Paralympic champion, Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk, with a 3-1 victory (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10) in the Round of 16.

This was followed by his quarterfinal 3-1 (9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6) win against Maxime Thomas, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist.

Ahead of  his semifinal match against South Korea’s Kim Young-gun, Ogunkunle had already secured Nigeria’s first singles Paralympic medal since the Sydney 2000 Games, where Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi won gold and bronze medals respectively in the Class 9 Men’s Singles.