Nigeriaโs top table tennis players, Quadri Aruna and Olajide Omotayo, have learned their first-round opponents for the Menโs Singles at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The draw, held on Wednesday at the South Paris Arena, revealed challenging matchups for African athletes across various events.
Aruna, a seasoned competitor, will once again confront Romaniaโs Eduard Ionescu, a familiar adversary whom he faced previously in the semifinals of the European Champions League.
Their encounter resulted in a narrow 3-2 victory for Ionescu, making this upcoming match a pivotal rematch for Aruna.
Meanwhile, Omotayo faces a formidable opponent in Iranโs Noshad Alamiyan, known for his unconventional playing style that has confounded many top-ranked players.
Omotayo, aiming for a strong start at his Olympic debut, must prepare thoroughly to navigate Alamiyanโs challenging gameplay.
In other draws involving African representatives, Egyptโs contingent, including Offiong Edem and debutant Fatimo Bello, will tackle tough opponents.
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Edem will compete against Brazilโs Bruna Takahashi in Womenโs Singles, while Bello faces a daunting task against Jia Nana Yuan, a prominent Chinese-born French player.
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games mark a significant milestone for table tennis, celebrating its 10th appearance since its debut in Seoul 1988.
Among other African competitors, Egyptโs Omar Assar is set to compete against Madagascarโs Fabio Rakotoarimanana, while Algeriaโs Mehdi Bouloussa will challenge Croatiaโs Tomislav Pucar.
Nigeria-born Saheed Idowu representing Congo Brazzaville will take on Swedenโs Anton Kallberg.
Senegalโs Ibrahima Diaw begins his Menโs Singles campaign from the preliminary round against Nepalโs Santoo Shrestha.
The draws underscore the competitive challenges awaiting African athletes in the quest for Olympic glory in table tennis at Paris 2024.