Why they call me ‘smiling assassin’
Adegoke Onaopemipo’s greatest asset on the court has nothing to do with how the ball leaves his racquet, but rather, how his facial muscles produce an infectiously disarming smile —even during the tensest match.
“It’s something I found out about myself, and then it’s been helping me a lot,” the 25-year-old squash vagabond – who’s travelled the world going from tournament to tournament – told Olympics.com in between matches at The World Games 2025.
“I noticed most players, when they’re under pressure; just try to remember what happened in the last point. But for me, I try as much as possible to smile it out, and then move on to the next point, which has been a very big influence and a very great thing in my life.”
Growing up in the Nigerian port city of Lagos, Onaopemipo was exposed to many mainstream sports through the youth programs offered at the Unilag Sports Centre.
And while basketball and tennis called to the young athlete, it was ultimately squash where he found his forever home, even if he was – to put it mildly – reluctant to try the sport.
“I didn’t like squash,” admitted the current Nigerian No. 1. “I told my brother, ‘I don’t like this game. You guys just fight against the wall. There’s nothing best in it.’”
But like any reasonable brother, he eventually caved to his sibling’s prodding.
“After some time, I tried squash with my brother and I loved it,” continued squash’s self-proclaimed ‘smiling assassin.’
“Then in my first-ever tournament, I made it to the semis, and I said to myself, ‘I think I have a talent here.’ So since then, I’ve been playing squash.”
“Squash has been a very good thing in my life”
Onaopemipo has come a long way in the sport he once derided as a “fight against the wall.”
Advancing up the ranks from U11 champion, to U15 champion, to U16 champion, and ultimately, national champion at the head turning age of 19, he’s made a name for himself domestically, and now, internationally.
“Squash has been a very good thing in my life,” asserts the amicable world no. 137. “In Nigeria, it has shaped a lot of players; took a lot players out of the streets.”
Eternally thankful for the opportunities the sport has given him, Onaopemipo remains honest about the difficulties he faces as an athlete from a non-powerhouse nation.
“Since we don’t get support from the government, we try as much as possible to solicit for sponsors ourselves,” explains the experienced professional, noting how he and other players rely on the support of benefactors in the local squash community.
Still, the ‘smiling assassin’ forges ahead: one point, one game, one match and one tournament at a time – all without a coach by his side.
“I know it’s challenging all by myself, but it’s all good,” the 25-year-old self-coached player assures Olympics.com. “I just stick to my own game plan.”
Of course, that’s easier said than done at the top level of squash
“There are some times [when] your game plan isn’t going to work, because your opponent is just trying to counterattack your game plans,” admits Onaopemipo. “But for me – since I don’t have a coach to restrategize my game – what I just do, is I set up a game plan for A, B and C.”
While his method may seem crude to some, it’s worked wonders for the Lagos born, New York based player, who’s chalked-up wins at three PSA Squash Tour tournaments on his way up the world rankings.
As for the loneliness of going it alone on the road? Onaopemipo feels more connected than he’s ever been.
“In the sport circuit, the more you play, the more you travel, the more you meet good people, the way you surround yourself with people, you find you’re not alone.”
“I am carrying Nigeria all on my shoulder”
Despite the many “firsts” in his career, nothing could have prepared Onaopemipo for the spectacle that is The World Games.
“It’s my first time representing Nigeria in a big Games like this, alone,” he confessed to Olympics.com, after an electric first-round encounter with Hong Kong, China’s Lau Tsz Kwan.
“I’ve always done it with teammates in the World Team Championship,” he added. “We are there to support each other, but this one, I am carrying Nigeria all on my shoulder.”
It’s a task he’s shouldered – pun intended – incredibly well at the multi-sports competition held in Chengdu, People’s Republic of China, advancing to the men’s plate final after three consecutive victories in the de facto consolation bracket, following his first-round loss to Lau.
And while he may not be leaving the tournament with any extra hardware to boot, The World Games 2025 have given him a powerful reminder of the kind of competitions that lie ahead, such as the Olympic Games La28.
“It’s a big-time goal. I’m working towards it,” confirmed the always jovial ‘smiling assassin.’
Remembering back to when he first heard the news that squash would be included on the official sports programme for LA28, Onaopemipo added, “I was so happy. I jumped off, called my mum and I was like, ‘finally, the sport is in the Olympics.’”
When asked if squash’s inclusion had changed things for him, the 25-year-old rising star responded in the affirmative: “It has changed things for me.”
“It has changed the way I think, and made me more professional in my sports, in my career, because I want to be the first Nigerian to play squash in the Olympics.”
