Nigeria’s Matthew “Mati” Kuti has missed out on qualification for the Round of 16 in the men’s singles table tennis event at the ongoing Youth Olympic Games following a 3-0 defeat to Italy’s Francesco Trevisan.
Sports247 reports that Kuti suffered the setback in his third group-stage match, losing 12-10, 11-2, 11-7 as Trevisan secured victory to strengthen his position in the competition.
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The Nigerian started the encounter competitively, pushing the opening game to 12-10 before the Italian took control of the match. Trevisan subsequently claimed the second game 11-2 and sealed the contest with an 11-7 win in the third.
The defeat ended Kuti’s hopes of progressing to the Round of 16, bringing his campaign in the men’s singles event to a close.
Despite the disappointment, the experience represents another important chapter in the young Nigerian’s development. Competing at the Youth Olympic Games provides valuable exposure to different playing styles, international opposition and the demands of high-level table tennis.
Kuti had previously recorded a victory over Tunisia’s Youssef Aidli in the preliminary stage, winning 3-1 (11-8, 11-8, 9-11, 11-7), demonstrating his ability to compete on the international stage.
Although this campaign did not end with the desired qualification, the young Nigerian will have opportunities to learn from the experience and continue improving.
At this stage of his career, the focus will be on building consistency, sharpening his game and returning stronger in future competitions.
Kuti may have missed out on the knockout stage, but his journey is far from over. He will bounce back in the future.
