For the second time and in a row, Fatimo Bello of Nigeria retained her Women’s Singles title after beating compatriot Aminat Fashola 4-2 in the final of the ITTF Africa Western Region Championships concluded in Lagos on Thursday, 4 November, 2021.
Also, a new champion emerged in the Men’s Singles after Rilwan Akanbi dazed his countryman and tournament’s favourite, Azeez Solanke, to become the Men’s Singles regional champion.
Bello, who won the maiden edition of the championships in Abidjan in 2019, was unbeaten in the singles event and completed her good run with a convincing 4-0 (11-9, 11-7, 11-7, 11-9) win over Fashola.
In the entertaining Men’s final, Akanbi’s calmness paid off as he triumphed over Solanke 4-3 (7-11, 11-3, 6-11, 11-8, 10-12, 11-4, 11-8).
Nigeria dominated the four-day event ahead of participating teams from Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Togo and Benin Republic.
Nigeria’s dominance started in the team event with the host claiming the men and women titles in team.
In the team event, Nigeria defeated Ghana to clinch the Men’s Doubles title after Amadi Umeh and Orok Etim came from 2-0 down to beat Ghana’s Derek Abrefa and Emmanuel Commey 3-2 (4-11, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9, 11-7).
The Nigerian duo of Bello and Bose Odusanya won the Women’s Doubles event by beating their compatriots, Hope Uduak and Vivian Oku, 3-1 (11-8, 7-11, 11-3, 11-9).
An elated Secretary General, ITTF Africa Western Region, Germain Karou, observed that the tournament had been a huge success considering the quality of organisation and play during the four-day event.
“I am impressed with what Nigeria has put up, particularly the standard of play from the players. We hope and believe Nigeria will continue to lead the region so that others can come up and compete favourably with them at continental and global levels,” Karou said.
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