The pair of Tajudeen Agunbiade and Olufemi Alabi, at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium moved up to the semi final stage of the men’s Class 9-10 table tennis team event of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
The Nigerian duo defeated their USA opponents two sets to one in the round of 16 and handed Montenegro three sets to nil to process to the semis.
They are matched against Team Australia in the semi finals scheduled for Wednesday, September 1.
Agunbiade lost to USA’s Leibovitz Tahl 3-0 (7-11; 5-11; 8-11) in their engagement, Olufemi Alabi tied back Nigeria’s chance with a 3-1 defeat of Ian Seindenfeld I (7-11; 11-7; 11-9; 11-6) before the Nigerians proceeded to win the doubles in two straight sets.
In the quarter finals, Agunbiade went hard against Bakic Luka with a 3-nil set victory while Radovic Filip shied away from Olufemi Alabi. The doubles was to be hard fought but the Nigerians prevailed with first set handicap to finish at 3-2 sets win (8-11; 11-6; 1-11; 11-8; 11-8).
Their Australian semi final opponents featuring Joel Coughlan and Ma Lin defeated France 3-0 sets to emerge.
