As the countdown to the table tennis competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games dwindles, the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) has revitalized the remarkable achievements of Nigeria’s Segun Toriola and Olufunke Oshonaike, along with three other distinguished athletes, for their extraordinary participation in seven Olympic Games.

The ITTF heralds the Olympic Games as the crucible of legends. Amidst this revered assembly, there exists a more select cadre – the illustrious Club 7. These athletes are not merely Olympians; they are the venerable giants of table tennis who have surmounted the challenges of time, competition, and adversity to compete an astonishing seven times on the world’s most prestigious athletic stage.

“Seven Olympic appearances symbolize an athlete’s enduring commitment and remarkable prowess. These stalwarts have devoted countless years to rigorous training, refining their craft to perform at the zenith of competition. With the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on the horizon, the legendary Timo Boll is set to join this exclusive circle, further cementing Club 7’s reputation as the hallmark of table tennis excellence,” proclaimed the ITTF.

Olufunke Oshonaike, the sole female member of Club 7, has graced the Olympic Games in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020. A pioneer in her own right, Oshonaike is not only the singular woman in Club 7 but also the first African female athlete to attain this milestone. Her indomitable resolve and spirited tenacity have not just enabled her to represent Nigeria at every Olympics since Atlanta 1996 but have also served as an inspiration to a myriad of young aspirants throughout Africa.

For Segun Toriola, the ITTF acknowledges his status as the record holder for the African Games in table tennis. Having competed in the Olympic Games from 1992 through 2016, Toriola has blazed a trail for future generations and, alongside Oshonaike, stands as a vanguard of African table tennis.

“Toriola is not merely an exceptional athlete; he is a creator of history. His agile footwork and formidable forehand propelled him to become the first African to reach the Men’s Singles quarterfinals at the Olympics (Beijing 2008), thereby enshrining his legacy as a Nigerian sports icon,” the ITTF remarked.

The ranks of Club 7 also include Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium, Jörgen Persson of Sweden, and Zoran Primorac of Croatia, each of whom has represented their respective countries with distinction at the Olympic Games across four decades.

These titans are the gladiators who have adorned the Olympic arena across seven editions. Their relentless passion and dedication serve as a beacon of inspiration not only to table tennis enthusiasts but to athletes worldwide. Although some may not have clinched the coveted Olympic medal, their triumphs in attaining the apex of their sport sevenfold warrant profound admiration. They are the esteemed members of Club 7, and their indelible imprint on the legacy of table tennis is eternally enshrined.