Other Sports
Aruna Quadri Shows Class at Bulgaria Open
Nigeria’s Aruna Quadri appears to have regained his form after a not too impressive outing at the ITTF Nigeria Open. What he could not achieve in Lagos was made possible at the ITTF World Tour tagged Bulgaria Open, as the Nigerian became the star attraction in the men’s singles where he finished in top four at the ITTF’s second most prestigious tournament on Saturday.
After his disappointing round of 16 defeat in the hand of compatriot – Bode Abiodun at the Nigeria Open 10 days ago, Quadri was considered as one of the best performers at the Bulgaria Open when his semi-final tie against world number four – Germany’s Dmitri Ovtcharov was described as one of table tennis classics.
Having fought his way to the semi-final as the first African to achieve such feat, Quadri showed his class against the German number one with the out-of-this-world display that has been touted of the best matches in table tennis this year.
In the report written on the encounter by ITTF Publication Director, Ian Marshall, the battle between the two continental champions was tagged clash of backhand and forehand.
“Dmitri Ovtcharov, the owner of one of the most effective backhands of the modern era, Quadri Aruna with his expansive forehand; add the two together and the equation resulted in spectacular rallies that delighted the appreciative crowd. Controlling the play, Dmitri Ovtcharov secured the opening game;
Aruna replied to win a close second but did not immediately capitalise on the success. Dmitri Ovtcharov established a 5-1 lead in the third game but chasing every ball, burning holes in his shoes, Quadri Aruna won the next four points to level matters.
He went ahead 7-6 prompting Dmitri Ovtcharov to call “Time Out”, the advantage worked but not in favour of the German. At 10-7 Quadri Aruna held three games points, the first was saved but not the second; Quadri Aruna led by two games to one.
An injection of confidence, buzzing, Quadri Aruna sped into an 8-4 lead in the fourth. Dmitri Ovtcharov reduced the arrears to one point at 8-7; now Quadri Aruna called “Time Out”. Once again the pause worked in his favour. He surrendered just one more point; three games to one lead was established.”
“Facing defeat, Dmitri Ovtcharov responded, controlling the play as in the first game, the backhand top spin ever more fearsome, the German won the fifth game in style. In the sixth he raced into an 8-3 lead; Quadri Aruna reduced the deficit to one point at 8-7 and 9-8, the stage at which, following his service he was presented with a golden opportunity. A forehand top spin to follow the service, designed to win the point outright, flew long. Dmitri Ovtcharov had a lifeline; he seized the opportunity, a deciding seventh game beckoned.
Now the momentum was very much in favour of Dmitri Ovtcharov. He won the first four points of the decider, changed ends ahead 5-3, before extending the advantage to 7-3 and at 10-6, four match points. At the first attempt the chance was taken; a place in an ITTF World Tour Men’s Singles final was claimed for the 14th time in his career,” Marshall wrote.
It was the German that eventually won the tournament after beating Japan’s Kenta Matsudaira 4-1 in the final.
Other Sports
Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing Championship
Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.
Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.
As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.
In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.
Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.
“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.
“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.
“We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
NFF Communication director unfolds 20 Points of a 20-hour ordeal on Libyan soil
African football legends, Adebayor and Aubameyang condemn Libya’s treatment of Super Eagles
BREAKING! CAF wades into the Libya-Nigeria Airport episode
Breaking! Uzoho suspended from Super Eagles’ next match with Sierra Leone
No longer Super League as CAF changes name of its new clubs competition
AIU releases its report on Tobi Amusan
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Players boycott Libyan national team
-
AFCON5 days ago
Billiat’s penalty seals Zimbabwe’s 1-0 win over Namibia
-
AFCON1 week ago
Eguavoen unfolds Super Eagles’ squad for back-to-back duel with Libya
-
AFCON7 days ago
Facts & Figures as AFCON 2025 qualifiers enter Matchday 3
-
AFCON6 days ago
AFCON 2025 in Morocco: Everything you need to know
-
AFCON5 days ago
Libya’s captain, Faisal Al-Badri alleges poor treatment in Nigeria
-
Uncategorized7 days ago
CAF compels Kwasi Appiah to step down from Ghana FA
-
Uncategorized1 week ago
Fastest World Cup final scorer is dead!