Nigeria and African badminton number one doubles player, Juwon Anuoluwa Opeyori has said he is working hard to qualify for next year’s Tokyo Olympics Games to do Nigeria proud and to inspire the younger generation of players to put in their best for the nation. He also spoke to Trust Sports on the challenges he faced when he started playing badminton.
When and how did you start playing the game of badminton?
I started playing badminton in 2005. When a badminton coach saw my brother and I playing football, he asked us to try badminton. We did and that was how we were introduced to the game of badminton. It stuck immediately and there was no looking back.
What were the initial challenges that you faced?
The challenges I faced initially were the same with what nearly all athletes faced when they started. Transporting myself to and fro training and adequate feeding were part of the challenges. When you are not from a very stable background, you must hustle for everything.
How much support did you receive from your parents?
I can’t quantify the support I enjoyed from my family when I started. My mum especially, has always been there for me. She has been most supportive. She supported me financially and otherwise. I can’t mention all that she did to get me to this level. Above all, I must not forget to acknowledge God who has been instrumental to my successes.
Who was your role model when you started?
All the seniors in the game were my role models. I wanted to be like all of them, especially those exceptional ones. I watched how they played and tried to mould my game after them. Even at this level, I am still learning from some of them.
How did you combine education with playing badminton?
In Nigeria and Africa as a whole combining sports with studies is usually a Herculean task. In 2016, I was done with my National Diploma, so I concentrated fully on playing badminton. I want to concentrate and qualify for the Olympics. After the Olympics, I will further my education. I know that there is life after sports so I have to plan for life in retirement.
When did you start playing for the senior national team?
I joined the senior national team in 2017 when the present federation came on board. They began to rank badminton tournaments. For every tournament you played, you are ranked according to your performance so that was how I got into the senior national team.
What would be your most memorable moment as a badminton player?
My most memorable moment was at the 2019 All Africa Games in Morocco, where I won the men’s singles event. It was unbelievable. I didn’t believe what happened. Let me just say that I was on cloud nine. Becoming African champion few years after I joined the senior team was truly amazing.
What is your saddest moment since you started playing for Nigeria?
There are such sad moments but the most painful ones would be my experience at All Africa Championship in 2018 in Algeria and 2020 in Egypt. In Algeria we were denied the gold in the team event and I was the worst hit by the antics of the host country. When I played against an Algerian player, there were so many false calls, and that stuff, but there was nothing we could do. And most recently, the Egyptian Embassy delayed our visas so we arrived late for the 2020 African Championship. There was nothing much we could do. Almost every day, I think about what happened to us in Egypt.
Who is your most difficult opponent in the continent?
My most difficult opponent in the continent will definitely be Paul from Mauritius. He is the current Africa number one player. Over time, he has proved to be a tough nut to crack but I am working out something for him.
Who is your most difficult opponent on the local scene?
That would be my doubles partner, Godwin Olufua. We have played together for years now so he seems to know my style of play. He is also a good player so I find it hard when I come up against him.
In the Tokyo Olympics qualifiers, you are ranked 92. How do you fancy your chances of qualifying?
I am actually aiming at qualifying for the singles and doubles event. It is not going to be easy, but I will do everything humanly possible to qualify in the two events. I want to set a record that will inspire the younger generation. I want them to have something to look forward to.
With the COVID-19 lockdown, what are you doing to achieve your Olympics dreams?
Right now there is nothing much I can do that will brighten my chances. At the moment, everybody is trying to survive the deadly coronavirus. So after the lockdown, we can all look at the way forward. For now, I am just keeping fit while waiting to see how I can attend more international tournaments before the qualifiers next year.
How much support are you getting from the Badminton Federation as you prepare for the Olympics qualifiers?
The federation has been trying. They have been very active in this qualification for Tokyo Olympics. The federation is doing everything humanly to ensure that we all qualify for the Olympics. They are supporting us financially and also making ways for us to attend as many international tournaments as possible. Their words of encouragement are also a great motivation.
If you were not playing badminton, what career would you have opted for?
I would have been into computer science or anything that is scientifically oriented. I am a kind of inquisitive person. Since science is based on curiosity, I would have been a scientist. I like researching for results.
In what ways have you benefitted from playing badminton?
Badminton has touched my life in numerous ways that I can’t explain. Badminton is the miracle in my life. I don’t know what my life would have been without it. Like I said earlier, I am interested in sciences, but considering my background, I doubt if I would have reached this height in that field. I can’t comprehend the miracles badminton has brought my way.
What advice do you have for the younger generation of badminton players in Nigeria?
My candid advice to upcoming players in badminton is that they should not give up on their dreams and career. They are bound to face a lot of challenges, but they should look forward to greater things ahead of them. I believed I could achieve great things in the game that is why I am here today. Nobody is exceptional. We are all great in our own ways. If they believe in themselves, they will make it sooner or later.
