Africa number 1, Anuoluwapo Opeyori has been knocked out of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the men’s badminton singles event, www.aclsports.com reports.
Opeyori lost to World number 6, Li Shi Feng of China 0-2 (17-21, 17-21) in his second men’s singles match at the Olympics.
The two-time African Games Champion ensured the Chinese worked hard for every point gathered in the two sets. In the set, Feng took the lead but Opeyori trailed behind him with two points (13-11 points). Opeyori showed resilience during the match but Feng won the first set by 21 to 17 points (a difference of four).
Upon resumption of the second set, Opeyori put in more effort with some defensive and offensive moves which made him lead by 11 to 7 points but the world number 6 was too experienced for Nigeria as he won by 21 to 17 points again.
Today’s loss by Anuoluwapo Opeyori, follows yesterday’s (Tuesday) defeat to Tobias Kuenzi (Switzerland) 0-2 (20-22, 14-21) at Le Chapelle Arena in Paris.
Reacting to his loss, two times Olympian said, “I am so impressed with my performance; I gave a good account of myself in the men’s singles playing against one of the best players in the world. The Olympics gave me an opportunity to get exposed properly and I am wishing myself all the best.”
