National badminton champion, Anuoluwapo Opeyori told www.aclsports.com that his dream of representing Nigeria in the doubles event at the forthcoming Tokyo Olympics is still intact.
Opeyori won 3 gold medals in the men’s singles, doubles and team events at the recently concluded National Sports Festival in Benin City, Edo state.
The African no 1 in the doubles category said the chances of featuring with is partner is 90% adding that they will maintain their fine run till the end of the qualification period.
He expressed joy carting away 3 gold medals at the National Sports Festival.
The 2019 African Games men’s singles champion said, “Every athlete in the world wants to be at the Olympic Games including I and my partner. We have a 90% chance of qualifying and we will maintain it until the end of the qualification period. I and Godwin Olofua are preparing hard and giving our best to stay in the qualification rank though there are hindrances but we will overcome it for sure.
“I was full of joy winning 3 gold medals at the 2020 National Sports Festival because it was a goal achieved. I set the goal before participating and I was able to achieve; the feel was satisfying and I thank God for it.
He revealed that the Badminton Federation of Nigeria has been supportive in their quest to be at the Olympics by taking them to various international tournaments which serves as training tours.
Opeyori said, “The Federation have been supporting in everything I must say they are the best yet since the 90’s and am very happy they are working hard to make qualify. I have a sponsor and he is also giving his best to support for me to qualify as much as possible”.
Anuoluwapo Opeyori and Godwin Olofua are currently ranked 50th with 27323pts in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings, while Anuoluwapo Opeyori is currently ranked 114 in the men’s singles according to the BWF rankings.
