Tag: Isau Ogunkunle

• I need endorsements to propel me to more Paralympics medals

Paris 2024 bronze medallist Isau Ogunkunle has lauded the sponsor of the just ended 2025 Valuejet Lagos Regional Para Table Tennis Championships, saying it will propel the players to good outings at the next Olympic Games. 

Top ranked Ogunkunle who is among standout athletes at the 7th edition of the regional para table tennis tourney, said the consistency of Valuejet in sponsoring the annual tournament has helped them in no small measure.

He called on other corporate bodies and individuals to emulate Valuejet, especially in the area of sponsorship to competitions and endorsement. 

He said: “Qualification for the Paralympics games is serious business. You have to attend many international competitions. As a Paralympics bronze medalist, and the only player in Africa to win a medal at the Paris Paralympics, I need sponsors and endorsements to help me in my drive to return to the games and do well. It could be from corporate bodies or well meaning Nigerians that love sport. The import of this is that it will enable me to travel for competitions with ease and to win more medals for Nigeria. I’m appealing to lovers of table tennis to continue to support and pray for us. Government cannot do it alone. The National Sport Commission cannot do it alone. They are not doing badly but they can do more. We need their support a 100 percent.”         

Continuing, the 2024 silver medalist in the Class 4 said Valuejet has continued to up its game.

“Last year I made it to the final game against an Iraqi player. He was a tough player. I went home with the silver medal. I love challenges and I like to play new and tough players that will take my game to the next level. Because when I’m to meet tough players I usually step up my training. When I meet players not up to my par there is no way to know if I’m improving or not.” 

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I love the challenge. My expectation is that this time around I will walk away with nothing less than gold medal. I’m sure about that because I’m the only top ranked player in this tournament. Other ranked players that would have given me a tough fight are not here. I’m disappointed because the top players that came around last year are not here. Among the players that are coming from the West African countries, I don’t see any of them giving me a tough time, and I’m being sincere here. Nigeria is way ahead of other countries in the region. That is why the only challenge that I see here are within. One of them is Timothy Omie playing in Class 4 where I play.”

True to his pre-match boast, Ogunkunle breezed through all his opponents to win his class again.  

Nigeria’s Paralympic Table Tennis medalist Isau Ogunkunle was the cynosure of all eyes at an event in Lagos recently.  He got the high table, the only Nigerian player to sit with coaches, administrators and sponsors at the 2024 ITTF Value Jet Lagos Para Open, which rounded off yesterday in Lagos.

This is courtesy of his ascension as a Paralympic star, the only African player to leave the Paris games with a meal in the table tennis wheel chair classification.     

Top officers from the ITTF at the event singled him out as the shining light of African para table tennis and encouraged him to continue to light the way for younger ones.

Pablo Perez, ITTF Para Manager, highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in para table tennis, which has motivated the ITTF to support the tournament as one of the sanctioned events in Africa.

He listed Ogunkunle as the reason why ITTF has beamed its interest in Nigeria and Africa. 

“We are particularly thrilled with the growth of table tennis in Nigeria. The performance of Nigerian players in major international competitions is a testament to the country’s hard work. Nigeria is truly making a mark, with Isau Ogunkunle being the only African medallist at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. We are proud to witness another tournament this year and commend Odebode and his team for their efforts,” Perez stated.

Speaking, Ogunkunle said he was humbled having come from a humble background and his transformation a big thrill for him.

In the heart of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a new hero emerged for Nigeria, captivating fans worldwide with his skill, determination, and indomitable spirit. Isau Ogunkunle, a name now synonymous with resilience and excellence in Paralympic table tennis, etched his name into the annals of history with a remarkable performance that saw him clinch a bronze medal, rekindling Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.

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“I have to say that the Paralympic changed my life. I did not know I would get any medal, though Paris was my second Paralympic. I was also in Tokyo. I simply gave my all but was scared that the top players with years of experience would extinguish me.”

Ogunkunle’s journey to the podium, marked by a series of exceptional victories, ended Nigeria’s 24-year wait for a singles medal in Paralympic table tennis.

Facing formidable opponents, including Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Kim Young-Gun and reigning Paralympic champion Abdullah Ozturk, Ogunkunle showcased extraordinary skill and resilience.

Ogunkunle’s bronze medal at Paris 2024 not only enriches Nigeria’s Paralympic medal tally but also serves as a beacon of inspiration for future generations.

A Historic Achievement

Ogunkunle’s triumph in Paris is not merely about winning a medal; it’s a story of breaking barriers and setting new benchmarks. His bronze medal victory is Nigeria’s first singles medal in Paralympic table tennis since Sydney 2000, a significant milestone that highlights the country’s enduring talent and passion for the sport.

The Road to Glory

Ogunkunle’s path to the podium was nothing short of cinematic, filled with nail-biting matches that tested his mettle at every turn. His victory over Abdullah Ozturk, the reigning Paralympic champion, in the Round of 16 was a defining moment, proving that with skill and perseverance, champions could be challenged. This was followed by a victory against Maxime Thomas, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist, solidifying Ogunkunle’s position as a formidable contender and securing a historic medal for Nigeria.

Beyond the Medal

The significance of Ogunkunle’s achievement extends far beyond the confines of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. It represents a resurgence of Nigeria’s prowess in Paralympic table tennis, inspiring a new generation of athletes with the message that with determination and hard work, the podium is within reach.

An Inspiring Journey

His journey through Paris 2024 is a testament to the power of the human spirit and the essence of the Paralympic movement. His bronze medal win not only adds a glorious chapter to Nigeria’s Paralympic history but also serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when talent is nurtured, and dreams are pursued with relentless determination.

As Nigeria celebrates this remarkable achievement, the legacy of Ogunkunle and his contribution to the Paralympic movement will undoubtedly continue to inspire and uplift aspiring athletes for years to come. His story is a beacon of hope, a testament to the fact that even in the face of adversity, greatness is possible.

Nigeria’s sole potential medallist in the table tennis event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Isau Ogunkunle has revealed the rationale behind his return to training immediately after his  quarter-final’s  victory  in the Men’s Class 4  over Frenchman Maxime Thomas.

This triumph against the world No. 6 not only earned Ogunkunle a place in the semifinals, but  has also guaranteed him at least a bronze  medal marking a significant achievement for himself and Nigeria

Ahead  of tomorrow’s   crucial semi-final  match, the African champion emphasised the importance of preparation, adding  he remains focused on the ultimate goal.

“I will not be carried away by the victory in the quarterfinal because I am going to face the world No. 2 in the semifinal, and he plays a different style compared to others I have beaten,” Ogunkunle stated.“So, I need to train and be ready for him just like I did before every match in Paris.

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 “There is no doubt that it is going to be another Herculean task for me but I am ready to shake the table here in Paris because this is the only way to prove to the world what we Nigerians are capable of, despite the exit of my compatriots in Paris.” 

Ogunkunle’s journey has been remarkable, starting with a stunning upset over the reigning Paralympic champion, Turkey’s Abdullah Ozturk, with a 3-1 victory (6-11, 11-6, 11-7, 12-10) in the Round of 16. 

This was followed by his quarterfinal 3-1 (9-11, 11-5, 11-9, 11-6) win against Maxime Thomas, a Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist.

Ahead of  his semifinal match against South Korea’s Kim Young-gun, Ogunkunle had already secured Nigeria’s first singles Paralympic medal since the Sydney 2000 Games, where Tajudeen Agunbiade and Alabi Olufemi won gold and bronze medals respectively in the Class 9 Men’s Singles.