Anuoluwapo Juwon Opeyori might be ranked outside the top 100 – he’s currently No.104 – but he’s conscious of the responsibility on his shoulders, of making a good impression for Africa at Paris 2024. As one of only two Africans in the men’s singles draw, the Nigerian has been giving his best to live up to the task.

“I felt I’ve improved, and I feel I have a new understanding of the game and there’s room for me to achieve more,” said Opeyori, who’s in Group N with Li Shi Feng and Tobias Kuenzi. “I want to keep playing and keep training and stay optimistic about everything, accept my win or loss. I feel I’ve achieved one of my goals to get a good record to keep Nigeria in a good spot in Africa.”

Opeyori did keep Nigeria’s flag flying high this year, winning both the African Individual Championships and the African Games. His African Championships win was his third straight victory and fourth overall, while the African Games saw him defend the gold that he won four years ago. He also made the semifinals of the Uganda International.

“I feel this is the best I’ve played in my career. Maybe I was in a good mental state. Last year I trained at New Vision Academy in Malaysia for two-three weeks, so I was able to get a better understanding of the game. With the coach’s guidance, I got to know of my weaknesses which I worked on. I was able to add a new logic to my game.”

Having competed at Tokyo 2020 in men’s doubles, Paris 2024 will be his second Olympics. The Olympic experience has defined who he has become over the last three years, and he knows Paris too will a career-defining experience.

“I was more aware of what to do when I came back from Tokyo 2020, because that was the standard I wanted to achieve, and I wanted to give more. It showed me the highest level of badminton. I was able to implement those lessons in my life and I knew what I wanted to achieve in the coming Olympics. Every day I work I picture this is how strong the game is going to be, how tough it’s going to be, so I train hard to get better.

“Paris feels a bit intense. I’m calming myself down and looking at it as fun and having a good time and giving my best performance and making myself and everyone proud, and to make a good impression, and win matches if I can.

“That would mean a lot to me, to win a match.”