By Akinwale Kasali
It could have been a dream year and a dream come true for Segun Toriola, Nigeria’s Table Tennis legend who had previously attended Seven Olympics games.
Toriola’s dream of featuring in his eight Olympics games was halted by Egypt’s duo of Omar Assar and Dina Meshref, after Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike lost in the final of mixed doubles finals of the Africa Olympic Qualifying Tournament held in Tunis, Tunisia.
Toriola was aiming to set a record of becoming the first African, and table tennis world, to attend eight Olympic Games.
Sadly, his ambition came to an end with the defeat by the Egyptians in the pulsating final.
There is, however, a consolation for Oshonaike who had earlier booked her place in Tokyo 2020 as the first African female athlete to attend seven Olympic Games.
From the blast of the whistle for the final of the mixed doubles, the tie was swinging in favour of the Egyptians who claimed Africa’s sole slot in the mixed doubles with 11-6, 11-6, 11-7 and 11-2.
Toriola couldn’t hide his disappointment, describing it as a disappointing outing, but was grateful to God for the opportunity to feature in seven Olympic Games.
“I wanted to try to make it to my eight Olympic Games, unfortunately I could not but in all I am very happy with my career and to become the first African to attend seven Olympic Games.
“I hope upcoming players will take it from here. Olympic Games for me has been a great experience and I hope other players will take it up from here,” Toriola said.
Egyptian duo of Meshref and Assar lauded the records set by Toriola and Oshonaike, describing them as legends of the sport and mentor to younger generation of Ping Pong players.
