Isau Ogunkunle capped off an impressive run in the men’s Singles Class 4 event at the 2024 Paralympic Games with a first Bronze medal, marking a historic achievement for Nigerian Para Table Tennis.
This victory not only bettered his quarterfinal finish from the Tokyo Games three years ago but also established him as the first Nigerian to secure an individual medal in Para Table Tennis since Tajudeen Agunbiade and Femi Alabi’s triumphs at the Sydney 2000 Games, where they clinched Gold and Bronze, respectively.
Nigeria’s legacy in Paralympic Table Tennis dates back to the Atlanta 1996 Games, where they made their debut.
Since then, the country has garnered an impressive tally of two Gold and three Bronze medals, with their last podium finish coming at the Tokyo 2020 Games in the men’s Team Classes 9-10 event.
Ogunkunle’s recent accomplishment adds another Bronze to Nigeria’s Paralympic medal collection, continuing the country’s proud tradition in the sport.
Throughout the tournament, Ogunkunle demonstrated remarkable skill and tenacity, progressing from the round of 16 and quarterfinals with a series of stunning victories against higher-ranked opponents.
His semifinal matchup saw him face World No. 2, Young-Gun Kim of South Korea. Ogunkunle’s strong start in the match was evident as he took the first set 11-9, showcasing his technical mastery and ability to keep the highly-ranked Korean on the back foot.
However, the experienced South Korean soon adjusted to Ogunkunle’s tactics, claiming the next two sets with dominant scores of 5-11 and 4-11.
The Nigerian player, undeterred, pushed for a comeback in the fourth set, engaging in a fierce battle that resulted in a tie break. Despite his best efforts, Ogunkunle narrowly lost the final set 11-13, conceding the match to Kim.
Despite the semifinal loss, Ogunkunle still earned the Bronze medal. According to Para Table Tennis regulations, both losing semifinalists are automatically awarded the Bronze, eliminating the need for a decider match.
This rule allowed Ogunkunle to bring home a prestigious medal, cementing his place in Nigeria’s Paralympic history.
Ogunkunle’s achievement is a testament to his hard work and resilience, and it also reinforces Nigeria’s growing prominence in Para Table Tennis on the global stage.
His Bronze medal not only brings personal glory but also serves as an inspiration for future generations of Nigerian para-athletes aiming to reach the highest levels of competition.
