At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Nigerian Para table tennis couple Christiana and Kayode Alabi are making waves as they represent their country on one of the biggest stages in sports. Both top-ranked African players in their respective classes, the Alabis have turned their passion for table tennis into a shared journey of dedication and love.
Christiana Alabi is set to make her Paralympic debut, competing in the Class 5 Women’s Singles event. Her journey to Paris began at the 2017 National Trials in Lagos, Nigeria, where she met Kayode. Both were affected by polio as children, which is why Christiana uses a wheelchair, while Kayode lost the use of his right leg and requires support to walk. Their connection blossomed both on and off the table, leading to marriage in 2022. Kayode, who has been a guiding force and coach in Christiana’s career, has already competed in the Class 14 Men’s Doubles and Class 17 Mixed Doubles at in Paris 2024, though he was not successful in advancing.
“I did not believe it when the training was going on. But he encouraged me, trained me, always told me nothing is impossible. My first tournament, I did not believe I could get to the final in Nigeria. I made it, and that was amazing.” Christina
Despite the challenges they have faced, including skepticism from others about their relationship, the couple has remained committed to each other and their sport. They train together daily, balancing intense practice sessions with strategic video analysis to refine their skills. This disciplined approach has paid off, as both continue to excel on the international stage.
“It’s not easy for us. She uses a wheelchair. It’s not easy when we want to go to training. To go on a bus with able-bodied people, sometimes we leave our house at 6am and we don’t get to our training ground until after 11am, because of the bus. We don’t have the money to call a cab. To be African No.1, a national champion, a continental champion, it’s not easy. We believe we are going to make an impact.” Kayode
Having won their respective events at the 2023 ITTF African Para Championships in Giza, Egypt, Christiana and Kayode earned their spots in Paris, fueling their ambition to bring home medals. Winning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Christina is well prepared for her Paris 2024 debut. As Christiana steps onto the court for her first match, she carries not only her own aspirations but also the hopes of her husband and their shared dream of Paralympic success.
“We believe we will make the standard we are hoping for: gold medallists, by God’s grace. People in other countries have an advantage due to facilities. We struggled every day.” Christina
The Alabis’ story is one of perseverance, partnership, and the pursuit of excellence. As they continue their campaign at Paris 2024, this power couple from Nigeria exemplifies the spirit of the Paralympic Games and the unifying power of sport.
