Some top Nigerian Players lost out in the 32nd round of the ongoing World Table Tennis Contender series at the Molade Okoya Thomas Indoor Sports Hall, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, on Friday.
One of the players Taiwo Matti, who is ranked 75th in the world was defeated by Patrick Franziska of Germany by 3-0 in the men’s singles best of seven games.
Matti noted that this was not his first time playing in the WTT and also the first playing with one of the most ranked players in table tennis.
“This is a very big tournament, where we have top players.
“I learnt a lot from the top players, I think I have a lot of work to do on my rhythm and skills, so I will work on that.
“Now I have learnt my lesson and I will try to put it into use in my next outing,” he said.
Franziska said defeating one of the country’s top player was not an easy task.
He said he was not only playing against his opponent but against all the fans in the hall.
“I played Taiwo Mati today, I knew it would be very loud in the hall, it was a very nice atmosphere.
“He is an amazing player.
“I was just focusing on trying to shut off the loud crowd, and I am very happy with my game, but it was really amazing to play him,” he said.
He noted that Taiwo was one of the future best in table tennis, especially because he played with his left hand.
Also, Esther Oribamise lost to Kim Nayeong of South Korea in the women’s singles category by 3-0 in the best of five games.
Esther noted that though she lost, but she believed that her performance was satisfying.
She added that she would go back to training to improve on areas she had lapses.
“I just lost in the round of 32 of the WTT Contender Lagos.
“It is so unfortunate, although I am quite satisfied with my performance.
“Despite the fact that I lost, I am actually happy that at least I was able to gain some things.
“There are a lot of lessons learnt and I believe with what I saw in this tournament, I will be able to improve myself, my performance and my ability in the following tournaments,” she said.
Olajide Omotayo had lost to Manav Thakkar of Indian at the men’s singles category 3-1 in the 32nd round of the WTT best of seven games.
Omotayo said he would go back to ensure he improved on his skills in his next tournament.
Thakkar said it was not so easy, noting that Omotayo was a strong player.
He added that the support from the fans had stressed him at the begging of the match.
“I just finished playing round of 32 against Nigerian star, Omotayo, and I beat him 3-1.
“I think it was one of the very good matches for me. I played really well and he was really strong, and at the same time.
“He had the support of the crowd. So, I was very nervous when I was playing against him because whenever I lost a point, the crowd was supporting him so much.
“I was so stressed but I am very happy that in the end, I won the match,” he said.
The WTT Contender series, which started June 12 and runs until June 18, has reached the knocked out stage.
