Nigeria's Bolawa Akingbemisilu ranked in top seven of ITTF Para ranking

Isau Ogunkunle

Nigeria's Bolawa Akingbemisilu ranked in top seven of ITTF Para ranking

Hassan Abdulsalam 18:18 - 02.04.2023

Akingbemisilu is the only African in the top seven in the world.

Bolawa Akingbemisilu has ranked in the top seven of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Para ranking released by the world table tennis ruling body.

Akingbemisilu led the league of other Nigerian players making their return to the ITTF Para ranking.

Akingbemisilu, a silver medalist at the 2023 ITTF Masters Para Open in Italy, hit the top seven in men’s class five of the latest ranking , while the quartet of Isau Ogunkunle, Tajudeen Agunbiade, Faith Obiora, and Ahmed Koleosho returned to the world ranking after their inactivity prompted their removal.

Isau Ogunkunle
Isau ogunkunle

As the only African in the top seven in the world, Akingbemisilu made his international debut at the ITTF Masters Para Open, which went on to become one of the biggest movers in the world.

With 1145 points, Akingbemisilu who was part of the 16-man team sponsored by the Delta State government to the first hurdle to Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, lost to Serbia’s Mitar Palikuca in the final to settle for silver in Italy and his performance, especially his 3-2 win over Commonwealth Games champion Jack Hunter of England in the semifinal round became the talking points in Italy and he also been touted for a spot at the Paralympic Games in 2024.

Team Nigeria captain, Tajudeen Agunbiade

Another silver medalist in Italy, Ogunkunle is now ranked 17th in the men’s class four, while Koleosho is rated 40th in the men’s class three.

In the men's class of nine, team captain Agunbiade is ranked 15th, and Olufemi Alabi, who returned, is ranked 22nd.

Ifechukwude Ikpeoyi, the top-ranked female player from Nigeria, is ranked 11th in class five, while her countrywoman Obiora is ranked 12th.

OGUNKUNLE ISAU

Faith Obazuaye, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, reentered the rankings as the women's class 10 national champion, coming in at position 19. Faith Obazuaye, who won bronze at the Commonwealth Games, reentered the rankings as the women's class 10 national champion, coming in at position 19.

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