Rilwan Akanbi and Bisola Asaju emerged victorious at the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament, held at the Idera Multi-Purpose Hall in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State. The five-day event featured over 200 players competing for a ₦5 million prize pool, up from ₦3.5 million last year. Akanbi defeated defending champion Abdulbasit Abdulfatai in the semifinals before overcoming Wasiu Azeez 4–2 in the men's singles final. Asaju claimed the women's title with a 4–2 win over Favour Ojo, capitalizing on the early exit of reigning champion Hope Udoaka in the round of 16. In the junior categories, Chinenye Okafor won the girls' U-15 final with a 3–0 victory over debutant Deborah Festus, while Umar Ayoola secured the boys' U-15 crown by defeating Abdulateef Abdulsalam 3–0. Festus earned praise from Nigeria Table Tennis Federation President Adesoji Tayo for her bold performance against experienced opponents. The tournament, organized under the auspices of the NTTF and powered by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation, concluded with a ceremony attended by Nigeria Olympic Committee Secretary General Tunde Popoola. He commended Ayodeji Alabi, chairman of the Osun State Table Tennis Association, for sustaining the event. The occasion also honored 80-year-old John Peters, Nigeria's oldest international umpire, for his continued presence and contribution to the sport.
Akanbi's win over the defending champion and Azeez in straight sets exposes the narrowing gap between Nigeria's table tennis elite and emerging challengers. Asaju's triumph, following Udoaka's early exit, signals a shift in dominance within the women's circuit. Both Akanbi and Asaju are Nigerian athletes who capitalized on pivotal moments against compatriots in nationally contested matches. Their victories underscore the depth of homegrown talent in a sport gaining renewed visibility.
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