by Ian Marshall, Editor
In the opening round, Mawussi Agbetoglo beat the host country’s Jason Pontoise (11-3, 11-5, 11-4, 9-11, 11-8), the win coming after Soudes Alassani and Kokou Dodji Fanny had ended the progress of adversaries from the Seychelles. Kokou Dodji Fanny accounted for Nicholas Esther (11-4, 11-4, 12-10, 11-6), Soudes Alassani ended the hopes of Godfrey Sultan (11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-5, 11-2).
The only disappointment for Togo in the opening round of the Men’s Singles event was the defeat suffered by Atarou Assou; he was beaten by Olajide Omotayo (11-2, 11-9, 11-8, 11-3), who like colleagues Segun Toriola and Bode Abiodun, reserved second round places. Segun Toriola beat Beni Lukatikish from the Democratic Republic of Congo (11-7, 11-4, 11-8, 11-3); Bode Abiodun accounted for Eritrea’s Tekle Erfem (11-1, 11-2, 11-1, 11-2).
Success for Nigeria but there was also defeat; Tobi Falana lost to Aly Ghallab (11-4, 11-6, 11-8, 9-11, 13-11) in a round that witnessed success upon success for Egypt (11-4, 11-6, 11-8, 7-11, 9-11, 13-11). In addition to Aly Ghallab, Shady Magdy beat Algeria’s Sami Kherouf (11-5, 11-5, 10-12, 12-10, 14-12); Youssef Abdel-Aziz ended the hopes of ended the hopes of the host nation’s Akhilen Yogarajal (11-4, 13-11, 11-7, 11-7, 11-6).
Notable performances and there were also most worthy efforts from South Africa, who had secured fifth place in the Men’s Team event. Shane Overmeyer beat Madagascar’s Rado Rasolomalala (11-6, 13-11, 11-8, 11-3); Kurt Lingeveldt and Terrence Mathole ended Mauritius aspirations.
Kurt Lingeveldt accounted for Rhikesh Taucoory (11-8, 12-10, 11-7, 11-6), Terrence Mathole ended the hopes of Allan Archellum (7-11, 12-10, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8, 11-7). Also through the main draw is colleague Theo Cogill; he received an opening round walk-over when scheduled to play Gabon’s Wilfreed Nguema Mvey,
The three leading names, Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna, alongside Egypt’s Ahmed Ali Saleh and Mohamed El-Beiali received direct entries to the second round; the second, third and quarter-final rounds of the Men’s Singles event will be played on Saturday 8th September.
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Monday 3rd September
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Tuesday 4th September
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Wednesday 5th September
2018 ITTF African Championships: Newsletter – Friday 7th September
