After causing the biggest upset to earn Nigeria the golden bronze in the men’s team event of table tennis at the ongoing Glasgow Commonwealth
Games, former junior sensation, Ojo Onaolapo believes the victory over India’s Sharath Achanta has boosted his confident to tackle any opponent in Scotland.
Ojo Onaolapo
Onaolapo became the toast of fans at the venue of the third place match after the young Nigerian stunned the Indian star rated 44 in the world 3-1 to earn Nigeria its first medal in the last eight years of the games.
An elated Ondo State-born player said: ““I’m excited, I’m happy to win; in table tennis if you are dominant you can beat anybody.”
He added: “We wanted to win a medal, nobody expected to; we played them in the bronze medal match four years ago in New Delhi and lost.”
Also, the inspirational captain of Team Nigeria, Segun Toriola was a happy man that he had a medal to show for his last outing at the games.
“I’m so happy because it’s my last Commonwealth Games before I retire”, said the now 39 year-old Toriola.
He however expressed disappointment over his inability to beat the Indian star in his first match. “I felt so sad and worried after I lost my match; it would have been a great start if I’d have won and been more relaxed; in the doubles I just tried to keep relaxed.
“It was the match of the contest, it was the most important match”, added Toriola. “Doubles can be strange, it was 50:50.”
Meanwhile, the preliminary round of the singles’ event began on Tuesday with Nigeria’s trio of Toriola, Aruna Quadri and Bode Abiodun getting as bye to the main draw (round of 64).
In the women’s singles, the trio of Edem Offiong, Cecilia Otu-Akpan and Ganiat Ogundele had to compete for places in the main draw.
