Many success stories have risen from the world of sports, some on the international scene and others domestic, but only a few can be as inspiring as the story of Nigeria and Africa’s No. 1 men’s badminton player, Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori.
The 27-year-old star, who is currently at the top of his game and ranked 104 in the world, has risen from the struggles of his humble beginnings with just a racket and a shuttle in his hands and now shares the spotlight with some of the biggest names in the sport.
The Paris 2024 Olympics is Opeyori’s second outing, after his debut in Tokyo 2020. However, the Games in the City of Light are different for the African badminton king, who was elected as Team Nigeria’s captain and was one of the two flag bearers for the country alongside 100-metre hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan in a first-of-its-kind opening ceremony on the River Seine.
“I feel very much happy and excited,” Opeyori told Afrosport in an exclusive chat after the opening ceremony. “It was a great honour bestowed upon me.
“I actually thank God for the great opportunity that I was given to be able to hold the flag and also lead the team. And it also makes me feel responsible to push more and to also showcase my determination for Team Nigeria.”
One of Africa’s most decorated athletes in badminton and one of Nigeria’s brightest sparks in Paris, Opeyori is the first-ever Nigerian badminton player to qualify for back-to-back Olympics.
Now a two-time Olympian, the Lagos-born badminton player, who reminisced on his tough journey to stardom, said he is proud to be able to hold the record amid a lack of proper infrastructure for the growth of the sport in Nigeria.
“I’m feeling very proud of myself that I have gone through the storm of qualifying for the second time,” he stated.
“It wasn’t easy, and it has never been easy for badminton players, especially from Nigeria with so many little resources to facilitate my improvement, but I thank God that I’m able to utilise the little resources and be able to transform it into a great thing and that great thing is what is here today and what I have achieved today and I’m really proud of myself.”
Opeyori’s success over the years has seen him claim several medals across different tournaments, including back-to-back gold medals in the men’s singles event in the African Games in 2019 and 2023 in Rabat and Accra, respectively, and a gold medal in the African Championship in Cairo earlier this year.
Albeit all his successes on the continental stage, Opeyori has yet to make it count on the global sphere, but the African No. 1, who has tasted the competitiveness of the Olympics, is looking forward to announcing himself on the grandest of platforms.
“I want them to expect the best of Africa competing in this game,” he said while sending a warning to the rest of his competitors. “My job here is to give Africa the hope to compete, not just to participate in the tournament. So, I’m going to give my all, I’m going to try my best and I’m going to showcase Africa to the world. There’s nothing impossible and that is what is going to make it possible.”
With the games coming thick and fast, the Nigerian will be in action in his first game in the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, July 30, and ahead of his opener in the men’s singles against Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi, Opeyori seems in great spirit, adding that he is raring to go.
“Ahead of my game. I am prepared mentally, raising my spirit,” Opeyori said. “I was inside the hall [today] and on the court. I was a bit nervous as normal, but I also told myself my opponent will be nervous too. So, we are both in that stage of nervousness. I am talking to myself, and I am giving myself some hope with a great spirit.”
Nigerian #paris2024olympicgames flag
bearer and the general team captain.It is a great honour to hold the flag of my country in front of millions and to lead the Nigeria team 🇳🇬🇳🇬🇳🇬
I’m happy to rep, and I wish everyone a successful outing pic.twitter.com/VppApKyXLU
— Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori (@AnuoluwapoJuwo1) July 26, 2024
For stars like Opeyori, who grew up from humble beginnings having experienced the hardship of Makoko—one of Africa’s most distinct slums—the pressure and expectations are huge. However, the badminton phenom has handled it all well so far, making him a fan favourite and one of the athletes youngsters look up to emulate.
Although in a country like Nigeria, where the lovers of sports have yet to be bitten by the badminton bug, as football, athletics, and basketball are most admired by the populace, Opeyori and his colleagues are helping to bridge that gap with their impressive resume. The badminton player, however, hopes his impact could be transgenerational as he aims to pave the way and also inspire a new crop of Nigerian stars in the sport, who could in turn become world beaters.
“My advice for the new players and those that are looking up to me is that they should keep on striving to achieve high goals and they will get there. Because nothing ventured, nothing gained,” he said.
“They need to venture into the world and try their best. And I’m very sure with enough hard work and dedication, they will reap the fruit. I’m very sure that with hard work comes luck and opportunity. And with their dedication they will be able to achieve their life dreams.
So, my message for them is to stay strong, stay healthy and they should not be distracted. They should look at the bright side of the future and they should venture into the world.”
