The grand finale of the All Africa Senior Individual Championships in Cairo, Egypt, unfolded with an array of historic victories, as Nigeria’s Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori and Mauritius’ Kate Foo Kune emerged as the champions in the men’s and women’s singles categories, respectively.
Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori etched his name in the annals of badminton history by securing his third consecutive men’s singles title – a feat only matched by his relentless skill and determination on the court. In an epic showdown against Georges Julien Paul of Mauritius, the final proved to be the longest and most enthralling match of the day. Opeyori eventually prevailed with scores of 23-21, 11-21, 21-16, underscoring his dominance in African badminton.
Opeyori’s path to victory was paved with challenges, starting with a quarter-final clash against Ahmed Salah of Egypt. Despite Salah’s experience, Opeyori emerged victorious in two straight sets, setting the stage for a gripping semi-final against his teammate Victor Ikechukwu. In a closely contested match that went the distance, Opeyori’s resilience shone through as he secured a hard-fought win.
On the other side of the draw, Julien Paul strategically navigated through the semi-finals against Adham Hatem El Gamal of Egypt, showcasing precision and quality shots to secure a straight-game victory. However, when it came to the finals, it was Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori who emerged triumphant, solidifying his place as a dominant force in African men’s singles badminton.
In the women’s singles category, Kate Foo Kune marked her triumphant return by claiming her fifth title after receiving a walkover from top seed and defending champion Fadilah Shamika Mohamed Rafi of Uganda. The quarter-final saw Foo Kune face Rahma Mohamed Saad Eladawy of Egypt, securing a convincing victory in straight games. The semi-finals presented a challenging encounter against Johanita Scholtz from South Africa, with Foo Kune emerging victorious with scores of 22-20, 21-19.
After her remarkable victory, Kate Foo Kune expressed her joy and confidence, stating, “It feels amazing to come back, especially after my performance last year in the individual event. I am confident that I am on the right track, and now all eyes shall be on Ghana as it is very crucial for all those wanting to qualify for Paris 2024.”
In the men’s doubles final, Koceila Mammeri and Sabri Medel displayed their unwavering dominance, securing victory against Nigeria’s Nusa Momoh and Godwin Olofua in just 26 minutes. The Algerian pair claimed the title with scores of 21-12, 21-8, showcasing their exceptional coordination and skill.
The journey to the title involved a challenging semi-final for Nusa Momoh and Godwin Olofua against the impressive Mauritian pair of Tejraj Pultoo and Melvin Appiah. On the other side, Mammeri and Medel faced the formidable duo of Khemtish Nundah and Lucas Douce from Mauritius, overcoming the challenge to reach the finals.
Mammeri’s victory in the men’s doubles marked his fourth double title, adding to his remarkable record in both men’s doubles and mixed doubles. The twin victories on the final day in Cairo saw Koceila Mammeri achieve a dozen titles overall, underscoring his exceptional prowess in the sport.
The women’s doubles title was successfully defended by the top-seeded pair Amy Ackerman and Deidre Laurens. Last year’s champions showcased their prowess, securing victory against Uganda’s Husina Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi with scores of 21-11, 21-15.
As the All Africa Individual Championships concluded, the spotlight now shifts to the Uganda International Challenge 2024, set to commence on February 21 at Lugogo Stadium. Badminton enthusiasts are encouraged to stay tuned for live-streamed matches on the official YouTube Channel and Facebook page, as the championship has undoubtedly set the stage for more thrilling badminton action in the upcoming tournaments. The performances witnessed in Cairo are sure to leave a lasting impact on the African badminton landscape.
