Opeyori Urges Aspiring Badminton Players to Focus on Basics, Stay Consistent
By Oluwaseyi Ogunwomoju-Oduneye
Two-time Olympic badminton player, Anuoluwapo Opeyori, has urged aspiring players to remain focused, disciplined and consistent in order to succeed in the sport.
Opeyori, who is based in the United States, said sustained improvement in badminton depends largely on a player’s commitment to training and ability to understand their development pattern.
“Discipline and consistency are very important. Players must keep showing up and recognise their training patterns, otherwise improvement becomes difficult,” he said.
He stressed that players must evaluate their performance regularly, maintain training intensity and develop the right mindset to excel.
“Every shot counts in badminton. Beginners must understand what they are doing right or wrong and stay committed without giving up easily,” he added.
The Olympian, who competed at both the 2020 Summer Olympics and the 2024 Summer Olympics, also served as Nigeria’s team captain and flag bearer during the parade of nations in Paris.
Opeyori advised beginners to focus on mastering the basics rather than rushing into advanced techniques.
“They should build a solid foundation—footwork, clear shots and basic drop shots. Smashing involves complex techniques and starting with it can damage their development,” he explained.
“Badminton requires patience. It is not a sport you can master in a hurry.”
Widely regarded as Africa’s most decorated male badminton player, Opeyori is a two-time African Games gold medallist and a men’s singles champion at the African Badminton Championships.
Speaking on challenges facing Nigerian athletes, he identified inadequate funding, poor infrastructure and limited access to quality coaching as major setbacks.
“Growing up in Nigeria requires survival skills. Sports need resources—equipment, facilities and manpower—but I focused on what I could control,” he said.
Opeyori noted that his academic background in business management has helped him navigate his career effectively.
Reflecting on his journey, he revealed that badminton came unexpectedly.
“I didn’t start with a clear target. The sport came by coincidence after I initially considered gymnastics but didn’t continue due to impatience,” he said.
He, however, recalled setting a personal goal ahead of the maiden International Lagos Classic in 2014 that no foreign player would defeat him on home soil—a target he successfully achieved.
Now competing actively in the United States, Opeyori said access to better facilities and training partners has improved his performance.
“I’m still active and open to representing Nigeria. The training environment here pushes me to work harder,” he said.
He disclosed plans to compete in a Super 300 tournament in May, part of the Badminton World Federation World Tour, which features 11 events globally.
