Nigeria’s No. 1 Badminton-player, Jinkam Ifraimu, defeats Austrian’s opponent at Int’l Classics

Lagos – Nigeria’s number one badminton player, Jinkam Ifraimu, on Friday defeated Austria’s Vilson Vattani in the rounds of 16 by 21-13, 25-23,21-18 ( 3-1) to book a slot in the singles quarter -final.

The  match was a centre of attraction as Ifraimu’s teeming supporters were praising him.

Also the  match which seemed to be tough, saw both players fighting hard to defeat one another.

They picked points after one another as the game went on.

Delighted Ifraimu went religious by praising God after defeating his opponent at the end of the match.

He described the tournament as one of his best competitions so far as a badminton player.

The nation’s number one player said that the tournament was challenging with the presence of other international players.

“’I love challenges. I always like it when I am put on the spot. I always encourage myself to put in my very best at all time.

“It’s been a very wonderful competition and I thank all organisers,’’ ‘he said.

He also commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), his employers for their effort.

“I thank my bosses at the NSCDC because they are always there for me when needed.

“Without their support, I won’t be whom I am today. Their support is my backbone and I appreciate it dearly,’’ he said.

He added that the tournament was not an easy one but promised to deliver in the next matches.

“I still have the doubles and mixed-double matches to play and I promise my fans and supporters that I will not disappoint them,’’ Ifraimu said.

Similarly, Vattani said the best player won.

He said that he tried his best but that his best was not good enough.

“Ifraimu is a good player and I commend him on the victory. We are both good but he played better and that made him to win,” he said. (NAN)