Segun Toriola, table tennis player, can be the first African athlete to participate in eight Olympic games, says Khaled El-Salhy, the president of ITTF Africa.
El-Salhy said this while presenting an award to the seven-time Olympian at the 2016 ITTF Africa Senior Championships holding in Agadir, Morocco.
According to the ITTF boss, Toriola is an ambassador of table tennis in Africa, and a legend of the sport whom African table tennis players should emulate.
He said: “It was the decision of the Executive Council to give such award to Segun Toriola, who is a legend of Table Tennis not only in Africa but also in the World following his great achievement of being the first African to make seven appearances at the Olympic Games from 1992 to 2016.”
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“We also we believe that he has the chance to break his own record by making it to Tokyo 2020 because he still has the quality,” El-Salhy said.
“Toriola’s commitment to table tennis is 100 per cent and this is why he will remain an inspiration to young players in Africa.”
“He is also an ambassador of Table Tennis when it comes to fair play. His excellent performance at every competition coupled with his humility are traits that singled him out among other players in Africa,” he added.
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