Lind, Hashimoto Reach WTT Contender Lagos Finals in Title Defence Push

Posted : 25 May 2026

Anders Lind of Denmark and Honoka Hashimoto of Japan have moved a step closer to successfully defending their titles after securing places in the singles finals of the 2026 WTT Contender Lagos on Saturday.

At the packed Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall inside the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lind produced a determined performance to defeat Korea Republic’s Lim Jonghoon 3-2 in a tense men’s singles semifinal.

The Danish star was pushed to the limit in a gripping five-game encounter but held his composure at key moments to keep alive his bid to become the first player to defend the men’s singles title since the tournament began in 2023.

Lind, who won the 2025 crown after defeating Croatia’s Tomislav Pucar in the final, said he was delighted to return to Lagos and reach another championship match.

He admitted that Lim proved to be a tough opponent but praised his focus in crucial moments of the contest.

In the final, Lind will face Korea Republic’s Oh Junsung, who impressed on his tournament debut with a 3-1 semifinal victory over India’s Manush Shah. The young Korean earned loud applause from the crowd with his aggressive style and composure under pressure.

Junsung expressed excitement at reaching his first final in Lagos, praising the support of the fans and acknowledging the challenge posed by the experienced Danish champion.

In the women’s singles, Japan’s Honoka Hashimoto maintained her strong form with a convincing 3-0 win over Korea Republic’s Cheonhui Joo in the semifinal.

The reigning champion displayed discipline and tactical precision to advance without dropping a set, moving closer to becoming the first female player to successfully defend the Lagos title.

Hashimoto, who won the competition on her debut in 2025, said she was satisfied with her performance and is aiming to remain calm in the final.

She will now face fellow Japanese player and top seed Satsuki Odo, who defeated compatriot Hitomi Sato 3-1 in the other semifinal.

Odo impressed with sharp attacking play and strong movement to secure her place in an all-Japanese final. She said she expects a difficult match against Hashimoto but is focused on staying aggressive.

Sunday’s finals promise high-quality action as both defending champions aim to make history in Lagos.

Tournament organisers also noted that the 2026 edition has attracted top international talent and continues to raise the profile of table tennis across Africa.

Lind, Hashimoto Reach WTT Contender Lagos Finals in Title Defence Push

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