Oshonaike, Toriola Eliminated As Aruna Powers Through To Final Day

Nigeria’s top seed, Olufunke Oshonaike at the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open failed to make her mark at the tournament as she fell to China’s Fan Siqi 1-4 (2-11, 5-11, 6-11, 11-8, 10-12) in the round of 16 of the Women’s singles. Similarly, she was dispatched alongside Effiom Janet in the round of 16 in the Women’s doubles by fellow compatriots; Esther Oribamise and Ojomu Ajoke 1-3 who themselves lost out in the quarterfinals to the duo of Egypt’s Helmy Yousra and Doval Ilka (Nor).

Similar fate befell Nigerian veteran, Segun Toriola as he lost out in the round of 16 in the Men’s singles to Finland’s Olah Benedek 0-4 before succumbing alongside his partner, Omotayo Olajide to Cifuentes Horacio (Arg) and Monteiro Thiago (Bra) 0-3 in the quarterfinal of the Men’s doubles.

Akpan Cecilia couldn’t get past 2nd seed Pergel Szandra of Hungary as she lost 1-4 in the round of 16 of the Women’s singles.

The Chinese dominated the U21 Women’s singles qualifying as the top four with Guo Yan being the eventual winner; defeating fellow compatriot, Fan Siqi. The U21 Men’s singles was also won by Chinese’s Wang Shaobo after easing past India’s Ronit Bhanja.

The remainder of Nigeria’s representatives in the round of 16 of the Men’s singles; Aruna Quadri, Kazeem Makanjuola, Jamiu Azeez, Segun Toriola were all eliminated but Aruna Quadri.

The quarterfinals of the Women’s singles continued with no Nigerian representative but the upset of the day saw top seed Sawettabit Susthani overpowered 3-4 by China’s unseeded Wei Wensheng. Hence, the Chinese trio of Fan Siqi, Sun Chen and Guo Yan join Wei Wensheng to make up the semi-finalists.

Aruna Quadri being Nigeria’s sole representative in the quarterfinal of the Men’s singles eased past Romania’s Sipos Rares 4-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-5, 12-10) accompanied by the massive support of the Nigerian fans to qualify for the semi-finals.

The semi-finals and finals of the Men and Women’s singles and doubles will conclude the final day of events at the ITTF Challenge Nigeria Open.