The main draw of the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos got off to a dramatic start on Thursday. Fireworks and a major upset lit up the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall at Teslim Balogun Stadium.

 In a shocking turn of events, Japan’s Hina Hayata, the women’s top seed, faced an unexpected defeat. She was knocked out in her opening match. This sent ripples through the $100,000 prize money tournament.

The surprise of the day came from India’s Sreeja Akula. She is the defending women’s singles champion. Akula produced a flawless performance to dispatch Hayata in straight sets, 3-0 (11-7, 11-8, 11-3). Many are already calling this one of the tournament’s biggest upsets.

“I was well-prepared for the match, even though it was my first time playing against her,” said Akula. “She’s the top-ranked player, but I didn’t focus on rankings. I just concentrated on my game, and I’m happy with how I played.”

Akula, seeded ninth, made history last year. She became the first Indian to win a WTT title. She clinched both the women’s singles and doubles in Lagos.

She credited her success to the city itself. “Lagos has been a good hunting ground for me, and I’m really happy to be back,” she said. “Being the defending champion gives me a lot of confidence.”

Meanwhile, Egypt’s teenage sensation Hana Goda also made headlines with a gritty comeback victory.

The 17-year-old won her first continental title in Lagos in 2022. She overcame India’s Roy Krittwika 3-1 (8-11, 11-9, 11-8, 11-7) to reach the round of 16. She will face Yi-Tian Yeh of Chinese Taipei.

“My opponent played better than I expected, and I was a bit shocked at the beginning,” said Goda. “I’m glad I managed to turn things around, although I’m not satisfied with my performance. Facing Yi-Tian again brings back childhood memories — maybe this time I can get my revenge.”

Goda, the tournament’s third seed, was visibly thrilled to return to Lagos. “I love being here. I have many friends and always feel supported. Lagos is where I won my first African title, so it holds a special place in my heart.”

Egypt’s veteran and former African champion Dina Meshref also cruised through her opening match to secure a place in the second round, maintaining her status as one of the continent’s most consistent performers.

With top seeds falling and young stars rising, WTT Contender Lagos 2025 is already living up to its billing as a thrilling showcase of international table tennis

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As the 2025 WTT Contender Lagos enters its second day of qualifying action, players from across the globe are not only chasing a share of the event’s impressive $100,000 prize pool but also competing for valuable ranking points that could reshape the international table tennis landscape.

Held at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos, the tournament has quickly established itself as Africa’s most dynamic stop on the WTT Contender Series, drawing top-tier talent and passionate crowds.

High Stakes: Points and Prestige

Winners in the Men’s and Women’s Singles events stand to gain 400 ranking points, a haul that could lead to significant movement in the global rankings. The runner-up will earn 280 points, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists will receive 140 and 70 points, respectively.

The fierce competition on court is driven by both the financial and professional stakes, with players seeing Lagos as a crucial opportunity to bolster their rankings while claiming continental bragging rights.

Global Stars Eye Lagos Glory

Among the headline acts are Denmark’s Anders Lind and Japan’s Hina Hayata, both of whom enter the tournament as strong favourites.

Japan’s Hina Hayata

Hayata, 25, is making her Lagos debut and arrives with an impressive resume. A dominant force in the now-retired ITTF Challenge Series and a multiple-time WTT Contender champion, she is known for her lethal two-winged spin attack and is coached by veteran tactician Daisuka Ishida. Since her breakthrough at the 2021 WTT Star Contender in Doha, she has collected five WTT Contender titles and a WTT Star Contender crown. Now, she is aiming to add her first African WTT Contender title to her growing legacy.

On the men’s side, 13-time Danish national champion Anders Lind returns to Lagos with high expectations. A fan favourite in Nigeria, Lind thrives in the electrifying atmosphere generated by the local crowd. A runner-up at the 2025 WTT Contender Tunis, Lind has a decorated career that includes six singles titles and multiple doubles triumphs, and he sees Lagos as a key battleground in his campaign for global recognition.

Qualifiers Deliver Drama and Determination

The road to the main draw has already delivered moments of brilliance and high drama. While Day 1 of the qualifiers saw several early exits, Day 2—Wednesday, July 23—has brought heightened intensity, with players battling for the few remaining slots in the Singles main draws.

Nigerian players, buoyed by home support, have featured prominently in the qualifiers, joined by a host of African hopefuls seeking a breakthrough against elite international competition.

Doubles and Mixed Doubles Action Set to Begin

Attention is also turning to the Doubles and Mixed Doubles events, with first-round matches kicking off. Unseeded pairs will attempt to defy the odds and earn their place in the latter stages, where the tournament’s top teams await.

With ranking points, international prestige, and substantial prize money all on the line, WTT Contender Lagos is proving once again why it is one of the continent’s most anticipated table tennis events.

As the competition heats up, the stakes continue to rise—not just for titles, but for careers.

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The 2025 edition of the WTT Contender Lagos officially served off on Tuesday, July 22, with the qualifying rounds getting underway at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium.

The international tournament, backed by a $100,000 prize pool, has drawn top table tennis talent from four continents and reaffirmed Lagos’ status as a key stop on the global WTT calendar.

At a pre-tournament press conference held on Monday, July 21, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Wahid Enitan Oshodi, welcomed players and officials, expressing deep appreciation to World Table Tennis (WTT) for entrusting Lagos with hosting rights for the third consecutive year.

“We are excited that WTT has placed its trust in us once again,” said Oshodi, who also serves as President of ITTF Africa.

 “This event has firmly placed Lagos on the global table tennis map, thanks to the passionate support of our fans. It’s become one of the most exciting stops on the WTT Contender circuit.”

Oshodi noted that the event has grown in prestige, attracting elite players from Europe, Asia, Oceania, and Africa. He called for continued support from the Lagos State Government and corporate partners to sustain and expand the tournament’s reach.

WTT Event Supervisor Maher Ben Ahmed highlighted the international flavour of this year’s competition.

“The presence of athletes from four continents is a testament to the tournament’s rising popularity. WTT Contender Lagos is now one of the most anticipated events in the WTT Series,” he stated.

Echoing his remarks, Event Manager Loh Yuan Yee praised the tournament’s energy and organisation, saying the enthusiasm from players and fans alike had been key to its annual success.

He also commended the LOC for its professional handling of logistics and competition arrangements.

Event Director Kweku Tandoh reinforced the LOC’s commitment to delivering a world-class event, assuring that all WTT standards would be met and surpassed.

 “We are focused on continuous improvement. Each edition has been better than the last, and 2025 will raise the bar again,” he said.

President of the Nigeria Table Tennis Federation (NTTF), Ishaku Tikon, lauded the impact of WTT Contender Lagos on the local and continental table tennis scene.

“This tournament has not only positioned Nigeria as a leader in African table tennis but has also raised the level of the sport across the continent,” Tikon said.

The WTT Contender Lagos 2025 runs through the week, featuring intense action from local and international stars vying for ranking points, prestige, and prize money.

 As play begins, fans and players alike are set for another unforgettable chapter in Lagos’ rise as a global table tennis destination.

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