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Anuoluwapo Opeyori cemented his place in sporting history by becoming the first Nigerian badminton player to qualify for the Olympics back-to-back.
The 26-year-old’s feat was confirmed by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Saturday.
Opeyori, a two-time African Games champion who has dominated the African badminton scene since 2019 boasts a trophy cabinet of four African Championship titles and two African Games titles in the men’s singles category.
Reacting to the news with jubilation, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, declared that Opeyori has finally “broken the jinx” for Nigerian badminton on the Olympic stage.
Orbih sees Opeyori’s qualification as a testament to the BFN’s dedication to fostering world-class talent and emphasized the federation’s unwavering commitment to supporting young players in their quest for podium finishes.
“History has been made,” Orbih proclaimed. “Anuoluwapo Opeyori has secured a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, as confirmed by the BWF. I am incredibly excited and proud. Opeyori is not only the first Nigerian badminton player to feature in the men’s singles at the Olympics, but also the first Nigerian to qualify for two consecutive Games.”
Orbih acknowledged the previous achievements of Dorcas Adesokan (women’s singles) and Godwin Olofua (men’s doubles) who represented Nigeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. However, for the Badminton No. 1 man in Nigeria, Opeyori’s solo qualification for Paris 2024 marks a significant milestone.
The BFN president urged Opeyori to maintain his relentless training regime and reach peak form before the Games. “We will ensure he participates in training tours leading up to the Olympics,” Orbih confirmed, underlining the federation’s support for Opeyori.
This article first appeared here https://www.theathletic.com.ng/anuoluwapo-opeyori-second-olympic-qualification-history/