Nigerian badminton player Anuoluwapo Opeyori has expressed deep gratitude to his supporters despite an early exit from the Paris Olympics, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.
Opeyori, ranked 10th in the men’s singles, acknowledged the strong backing he received from fans throughout the competition and reiterated his commitment to highlighting African talent in the sport.
In a social media post on X (formerly Twitter), the 27-year-old said, “Thank you all for your unwavering support. We demonstrated the potential of African badminton on the world stage. Although the results weren’t what we hoped for, it was a victory for Africa. I will continue to work hard and aim to be the best player both in Africa and globally. On to the next challenge.”
Opeyori gave a commendable performance against China’s Li Shi Feng in his second Group N match, despite falling 2-0 (21-17, 21-17). He put up a tough fight against the world number six, showing resilience in every rally.
This match followed his earlier defeat to Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi, which ended his Olympic campaign. In their initial encounter, Kuenzi, who had previously lost to Li Shi Feng, won a competitive first set 22-20 and secured the second set 21-14 for a 2-0 victory.
Reflecting on his experience, Opeyori highlighted the significance of representing Nigeria and Africa on the global stage. He committed to furthering his efforts and aiming for greater success in upcoming competitions, with the goal of becoming a leading player in both Africa and the world.
