Segun Toriola has failed to qualify for an epic eighth participation at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Toriola, who partnered Olufunke Oshonaike in the mixed doubles event, lost to Egypt’s Omar Assar and Dina Meshref in the final of the qualifying event in Tunisia.
The Egyptian pair defeated the Nigerian duo 4-0 (11-6 11-6 11-6 11-2) to claim the only slot for the mixed doubles event.
The result meant Toriola will miss out on an eighth appearance at the Games, since 1992.
The 46-year-old holds the record of the first African to have featured in seven Olympics and was hopeful of an eighth participation in Tokyo.
Asked by ittf.com if he would attempt to qualify for the 2024 Olympics, Toriola answered in the negative.
“No. No. I won’t. That’s it for me, not anymore,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oshonaike and two other Nigerians —- Offiong Edem and Olajide Omotayo —- qualified on Friday for the Games in the singles event.
Oshonaike would be making history as the first African woman to participate in seven editions of the Olympics, while Omotayo would be making his debut at the Games.
Edem is also on the train to the Olympics, but Quadri Aruna could not push through the end of the qualifiers following a re-occurrence of a thigh injury.
Aruna, who is the world number 18-ranked player, is, however, likely to qualify through the rankings.
