Opeyori thanks fans for support after exit

Nigeria’s badminton star, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to fans who supported him during his Paris Olympics campaign, despite his early exit, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

Opeyori acknowledged the unwavering support he received and emphasised his commitment to showcasing African talent in the sport.

The 27-year-old, ranked 10th in the men’s singles, faced significant competition in both matches he played but remained resolute and determined.

“Thank you, guys, again, for all the support. We showed what Africa has to offer the sport of badminton,” he said in a video posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“It might not be the result that we wanted, but it was a win for Africa. I will keep working hard, and I will keep striving to become the best player in Africa and in the world. On to the next one.”

Opeyori put up a valiant effort against China’s Li Shi Feng in his second Group N match in the Men’s Singles Badminton event, losing 2-0 (21-17, 21-17). Despite the defeat, he fought fiercely for every point against the world number six.

The match followed his earlier loss to Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi, his second defeat that marked his exit from the Olympics.

In his first match, Opeyori faced a challenging opponent in Kuenzi, who had previously lost to Li Shi Feng. Kuenzi secured a closely contested first set 22-20 and went on to win the second set 21-14 for a 2-0 win.

Reflecting on his journey, Opeyori underscored the importance of representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.

He pledged to continue his hard work and dedication to achieve greater success in future competitions, maintaining his goal to become one of the best players in Africa and the world.