Two Titles in a Month

A feature on Segun Moses Torilola

Thursday, August 15, 2002

ITTF Press Release

Segun Moses TORIOLA, the youngest of nine brothers, had a smile on his face as bright as the midday sun in his home town of Abfokuta in Nigeria, after winning the men�s singles title at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester, England.
Success over the top seeded Johnny HUANG in the final gave the modest Nigerian star a second major title in the space of a month having been crowned African National Champion in Tunis one month earlier, beating compatriot Monday MEROTOHUN in the final.

�I didn�t intend entering the African Championships� explained TORIOLA. �Tundi OBISANYA, the national coach, thought it would be good preparation for the Commonwealth Games, so I played.� Certainly it was a wise decision by OBISANYA, himself a player who had represented Nigeria with great distinction in the 1970�s.
Victory over Johnny HUANG already in the team event in Manchester, undoubtedly added to TORIOLA�s confidence. `I know Johnny HUANG well�, said the newly crowned champion. `I�d played him in China at the World Cup and at the Sydney Olympics and on both occasions I�d lost close matches, so I knew it was not so difficult, I knew I had a chance and fortunately I took my chance.�

So what�s next for TORIOLA. First of all it�s the Ostend Open and with such players as Vladimir SAMSONOV and Jean-Michel SAIVE on duty he can test his progress against the very best; however, for he is quite clear about his priorities.

�My main aim is to do well on the ITTF Pro Tour�. Can he qualify for the Grand Finals in Sweden in December? `No, I�ve no chance�, came the reply with a smile that suggested he knows his immediate goals but who knows, the way he�s playing at the moment anything is possible for the modest man from Abfokuta and in topspin to topspin exchanges he can certainly trade with the very best.