Upsets as national table tennis championship wraps up in Osun

Pius Ayinor

It was a day of shocks and surprises on Thursday, April 15, at the 6th Michael and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament in Otan Ayegbaju, Osun State, as defending women’s singles champion Hope Udoaka fell to unseeded Khadijat Okanlawon in the round of 16. The upset set the tone for a dramatic day that will culminate with the finals on Friday, April 17.

Udoaka, who lifted the title in 2025, was stunned by the Oyo State-born Okanlawon in a five-set thriller, losing 2-3 (11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 11-5, 6-11).

The drama continued as junior sensation Fumilayo Ojo dispatched second seed Sukurat Aiyelabegan in straight sets, 3-0 (11-4, 11-4, 11-4), ensuring that this year’s edition will crown a new women’s singles champion.

While the women’s draw produced headline-grabbing upsets, the men’s top seeds held firm. Defending champion Abdulbasit Abdulfatai of Kwara survived a stern test against veteran David Fayele, edging through 3-2, while Akanbi Rilwan cruised into the quarterfinals, setting up a competitive final day.

The annual tournament, staged at the newly built Idera Multi-Purpose Hall, is organized by the Osun State Table Tennis Association under the auspices of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation and supported by the Michael and Felicia Alabi Foundation.

More than 200 players from across Nigeria are competing for a ₦5 million prize pool – an increase from last year’s ₦3.5 million – cementing the event’s status as one of the premier fixtures on the national sporting calendar.

This year’s edition features 14 events across singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and veteran categories, including U-15, men’s, and women’s competitions.

With upsets already reshaping the women’s draw, fans can expect a thrilling climax as the tournament crowns its champions.