Ondo emerged as the winner of the mixed doubles category yesterday as top seed players begin actions in both men’s and women’s singles categories today, Thursday, January 30.
The road to the final of the mixed doubles category saw Oladiran Joshua paired with Akinyinka Kehinde who represented Ondo survived the scare of Omah Amadi who played alongside Ajuwon Anuoluwapo representing Edo to win 3-2.
Prior to the thrilling encounter in the final, Joshua and Kehinde outclassed Fabunmi Matthew and Falana Flore of Kwara, 3-0, in the semifinal while Amadi and Anuoluwapo stunned Lagos’ Adegoke Muiz and Rabiu Aishat, 3-1 to reach the finals.
Elated Joshua, expressed his excitement describing the race to the final as a herculean task. He attributed his team’s success to the motivation from his state, expressing his readiness for the singles and doubles.
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“I feel so excited and glory to God I won the gold. My state really tried for us and promised to award us for the medals won. My next target is my doubles and singles,” he said.
As action resumes today in Round of 32 for men’s singles and Round of 16 for women’s single, No. 1 seed Matthew Muti is set to face tough competition from Rivers’ Jamiu Ayanwale, Kwara’s Abdulbasit Abdulfatai, Edo’s Amadi Omeh, and defending champion Muiz Adegoke of Lagos.
In the Women’s Singles, with national champion Hope Udoaka absent, Kwara’s Aiyelabegan leads the seedings and will battle for the title against Lagos’ Kabirat Ayoola, NSCDC’s Aminat Fashola, and 9-time champion Bose Odusanya.