The African badminton arena witnessed a spectacular display of talent, willpower, and championship spirit as Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori from Nigeria and the Algerian duos, Koceila Mammeri & Youcef Sabri Medel, successfully retained their titles at the African Games in Accra, Ghana from the last edition in Morocco in 2019.
Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori – Men’s Singles Marvel
In the Men’s Singles category, Anu Opeyori faced a formidable opponent in Adham Hatem Elgamal, seeded number 3 from Egypt. In a thrilling three-set match that had spectators on the edge of their seats, Opeyori emerged victorious with a scoreline of 15-21, 21-11, 21-14. The finals were equally exhilarating as he played against his compatriot and Men’s Doubles partner, Godwin Olofua, seeded number 6. Opeyori secured the win with a closely contested score of 21-23, 21-17, 21-15. Speaking to BCA TV after the finals, Opeyori expressed the significance of this year, “This year is very special for me as I have been crowned African Champion twice, and I believe that I am on the right track considering that we are nearing the Olympic Games.”
Koceila Mammeri & Youcef Sabri Medel – Men’s Doubles Dominance
In the Men’s Doubles, the Algerian pair Koceila Mammeri/Youcef Sabri Medel, seeded number 1, faced little resistance in the semi-finals against Egypt’s Adham Hatem Elgamal/Ahmed Salah, winning with a score of 21-14, 21-19. The finals saw them playing against the Nigerians Godwin Olofua/Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori, where the Algerians secured a convincing victory with a score of 21-6, 21-15. In a post-match interview, Sabri Medel expressed his joy, saying, “We are very happy to be on the winning side today and retain our title. It means a lot for us as we are fast approaching the Olympics, and this is some serious points for us.”
The exceptional performances by Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori and the Algerian duos not only showcase their individual and collective prowess but also underscore their fortitude to make a mark on the international badminton stage. As the Olympic qualification journey progresses, these champions will undoubtedly continue to inspire and set the stage alight with their remarkable skills and resilience.
