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Kuti, Udoaka crowned West African table tennis champions
At the 2024 ITTF West Africa Regional Championships in Lome, Togo, Nigerian table tennis stars Matthew Kuti and Hope Udoaka showcased their prowess by clinching the title of West African champions.
Competing against seasoned opponents from Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Senegal, and host Togo, Kuti and Udoaka stood out among 32 men and 29 women participants in both team and singles events.
The three-day tournament served as a platform to select representatives for the region at the upcoming African Championships in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Despite a setback in the team event, which saw Togo dethrone Nigeria, Kuti’s flawless performance in the singles event earned him the championship title. Overcoming established players, including former regional champion Oba Oba Kizito of Cote d’Ivoire, Kuti secured victory with skillful gameplay and determination.
Meanwhile, Udoaka dominated the women’s singles, defeating compatriot Ajoke Ojomu to claim the title. In the team event, the Nigerian women, led by Udoaka, secured victory without dropping a game, defeating Ghana in the final to retain their title.
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However, the host team Togo celebrated a memorable victory over Nigeria in the men’s team event, showcasing their prowess on home soil.
In a separate event, the ITTF East Africa Regional Championships held in Kampala, Uganda, saw Madagascar reaffirming its dominance in the region. Led by Antoine Razafinarivo, Madagascar claimed victory in three out of four events, showcasing their table tennis prowess.
The tournament witnessed intense competition among 41 men and 29 women from various East African countries. Host Uganda displayed strength in the women’s team event, while Madagascar repeated their triumph in the men’s team event.
In the singles events, Razafinarivo and Hanitra Raharimanana secured titles for Madagascar, emerging victorious against their Ugandan counterparts in tense matches.
The championships concluded with thrilling performances, highlighting the skill and talent of table tennis players across the West African and East African regions.
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