German international Dimitrij Ovtcharov will be making his second trip to Nigeria after failing to clinch the men’s singles title at the maiden WTT Contender Lagos in 2023 but the world No. 14 is eager to return to right the wrong in his second attempt at the title when the 2024 edition begins on June 19 to 23 at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium.
The 35-year-old fulfilled the promise he made to Lagos fans in 2023 after sending several table tennis equipment to young players across the country and it is on the heels of the massive support he got in his maiden visit that he decided to make another shot at the title relying on the support of the Lagos fans.
The former world No. 1 had won a total of two silver and four bronze medals at the Olympics since he debuted at Beijing 2008 in China, making him one the most decorated male Olympians in the table tennis category in terms of the number of medals awarded.
Following his special technique in his serves, the German was picked by Time magazine as one of the top 50 innovations of 2008.
With huge support from the Lagos fans, Ovtcharov worked his way to the final in 2023 where he faced China’s Zhou Qihao.
The final between Ovtcharov and the Chinese star had all the elements of a grand finale as the venue was jam-packed with Lagos fans.
It was Qihao who reigned supreme in a 4-1 win over the German star. The Chinese dominated the first three sets 11-7, 11-6, 11-8 but Ovtcharov clawed one back with 11-7, but the Chinese wrapped it up in the fifth with a pulsating 11-7 victory to prevent the German star from claiming his first WTT title in Africa.
And this year, the German will be among the top stars heading to Lagos with the hope of clinching his first WTT title in the continent of Africa.
Already, the organisers have confirmed the participation of players from China, South Korea, India, Denmark, Brazil, Spain, Benin Republic, Ghana, Algeria, and Egypt at the five-day $80,000 prize money tournament.