Anuoluwapo Opeyori wins fifth African badminton championship title

Anuoluwapo Opeyori has won the men’s singles at the 2025 All-African Senior Badminton Championship. 

The 27-year-old defeated Egypt’s Adham Elgamal in the final on Sunday inside the Gymnase de Japoma in Duoala, Cameroon.

Opeyori eased past the Egyptian to a 21-7 win for the first set. But the Nigerian had to work harder to claim the second set with his opponent reinvigorated. The set ended 23-22, with both players pushed all the way.

The triumph is Opeyori’s fifth continental title. He has won the last four consecutive gold in the men’s singles.

Opeyori first won a gold medal in the event in 2019 before claiming the title every year from 2022 to 2024.

The victory in Cameroon was redemption for Opeyori after a poor outing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he crashed out in the group phase.

Opeyori was Team Nigeria’s captain to the 33rd Olympiad.

Nigeria had nine other representatives at the All-African Senior Badminton Championship.

The mixed doubles pair of Ukeh Deborah and Alhaji Aliyu Shehu secured bronze against Egypt, while the men’s doubles duo of Ikechukwu Victor and Emmanuel Joseph won bronze against Algeria.

The championship was held from February 10 to 16.