Olatunji Yemisi
 |
| Full name | Olatunji Yemisi Olufunmilayo |
|---|---|
| Country |  Nigeria |
| Born | 14 February 1994 Igbara-Odo, Ekiti State |
| Height | 5.7 ft (174 cm) |
| Weight | 64 kg (141 lb) |
| Turned pro | 2014 |
| Retired | 2023 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Racquet used | Harrow |
| Highest ranking | 104 |
Olatunji Yemisi (born 14 February 1994) is a Nigerian former professional squash player from Ekiti State, Nigeria. She turned professional in 2014 and went on to dominate the squash scene in Nigeria and the West Africa region for over a decade.[1] Yemisi achieved the highest ranking of any female player in Nigerian squash history, reaching a career-high of 104 in the Professional Squash Association World Rankings. She is currently a professional squash coach.
She is also instrumental in the Sqaush Development of her sister Olatunji Busayo who is also a PSA Pro Player.[2]
Early squash career
[edit]Olatunji Yemisi commenced her squash career in 2004 at the age of 10 in Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria. During her early years, she was coached by Coach Ojo and Coach Sadiat Akande.
Yemisi achieved her first major success in 2008, winning a bronze medal at the Fembass Squash Tournament in the Under-19 category, four years after taking up the sport. Her dominance in the junior category led to her promotion to the senior category in 2011, following a three-year streak of winning numerous medals.
Professional squash career
[edit]Yemisi received her promotion to the senior category in 2011 at the age of 17, quickly establishing herself as a formidable opponent to senior players. Her breakthrough came in 2012, when she secured her first senior medals: a bronze medal in the Singles Category and a gold medal in the Teams Category at the National Sports Festival in Lagos.
Yemisi's dominance in Nigerian squash continued unabated, as she won back-to-back national tournaments in 2012 and 2013. This success paved the way for her transition to professional squash, and she became a Professional Squash Association (PSA) player in 2014.
For over a decade, Yemisi dominated Nigerian squash, solidifying her position as the most successful squash player in Nigeria's History.
Titles
[edit]Yemisi has competed in numerous high-profile tournaments, achieving victory in several of them. Notable examples include the OTrafford PSA National Closed Satellite Squash Tournament,[3][4] Lagos International Squash Classic,[5][6] Wisers PSA Open, Calgary Professional Squash Association,[7] Professional Squash Players Association of Nigeria (PSPAN) National Open Tournament, Chamberlain Squash Open Safegaurd[8] Zimbabwe International Open.[9]
TOURNAMENTS ATTENDED:
| Year | Tournament | Position | Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Alberta Open Invitational | Winner | Singles |
| 2021 | National Sport Festival "EDO 2020" Benin, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2021 | National Sport Festival "EDO 2020" Benin, Nigeria | First Runner-up | Team |
| 2021 | Wisers Squash Open PSA, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2021 | 5th PSPAN Open, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2021 | Start Challenge, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2020 | Nigeria Polytechnic Games Ilorin, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2020 | Nigeria Polytechnic Games Ilorin, Nigeria | First Runner-up | Team |
| 2019 | Queen City Open Regina, Canada | Round 39 | Singles |
| 2019 | Slaight Music Granite Toronto, Canada | Round 16 | Singles |
| 2019 | London Open London, England | Round 32 | Singles |
| 2019 | 1st Cargolux Merchant Express PST, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2019 | 1st Captain Awobokun Adedayo PSA Satellite, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2019 | 1st Lekan Adewoye PSA Satellite, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2019 | 1st Apapa Squash Open, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2018 | Prime Atlantic PSA Satellite, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2018 | Old Trafford PSA Satellite, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2018 | National Sports Festival, Abuja, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2018 | National Sports Festival, Abuja, Nigeria | Winner | Team |
| 2018 | UCT Open PSA, Cape Town, South Africa | Quarter-finalist | Singles |
| 2018 | Safeguard Zimbabwe Squash International Open, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Winner | Singles |
| 2018 | Chamberlain International Open, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2017 | Safeguard Zimbabwe Squash International Open, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Winner | Singles |
| 2017 | AGF ABDULRAZAK Open, IIorin, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2017 | UCT Open PSA, Cape Town, South Africa | Quarter-finalist | Singles |
| 2016 | Lagos International CIassic Tournament, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2016 | Livestuff Squash Open New York, USA | Top 16 | Singles |
| 2016 | Keith Gringer Memorial Open PSA Cape Town, South Africa | Quarter-finalist | Singles |
| 2016 | CargoIux Merchant Express, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2015 | Apapa Squash Open Tournament, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2015 | General Yusuf Squash Open, Abuja | Winner | Singles |
| 2014 | President Obasanjo Squash Open, Abeokuta, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2014 | Apapa Squash Open, Lagos,Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2014 | OAU Squash Week Tournament, Ife, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2014 | CargoIux Merchant Express, Lagos, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2013 | All African Senior Squash Championship, Windhoek, Namibia | Quarter-finalist | Singles |
| 2013 | President Obasanjo Cup. Abeokuta, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
| 2013 | Ondo State Close Tournament, Akure, Nigeria | Winner | Singles |
Squash advocacy
[edit]Yemisi has constantly advocated for the advancement of squash in Nigeria and West Africa, recognized for her strategic insights and recommendations that drive growth and improvement in the sport. With a deep understanding of the region's squash landscape, she has consistently suggested initiatives that will enhance infrastructure, accessibility, and competitiveness, contributing significantly to the sport's development and progress.[10][11][12][13]
Education
[edit]Yemisi attended Methodist Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, and later Baptist High School in Akure. She pursued higher education at Federal Polytechnic Ede, Osun State, earning a National Diploma in Statistics, and subsequently at Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Lagos State, earning a Higher National Diploma in Statistics.
Professional Certificate/Courses
[edit]- First Aid & CPR/AED Level C April 2023–2026
- Nigeria Squash Federation Level 3 Coaching Course (Equivalent to World Squash Federation Level 1) August 2021
- WSF Foundation Coaching Course 2021
- Nigeria Squash Federation (Level 1 Referee Course) March 2018[14]
- National Institute Of Sports (Advanced Coaching Course) September 2017
References
[edit]- ^ "Getting to Know Nigerian No.1 Yemisi Olatunji". World Squash. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Kuti, Dare (2019-01-05). "Squash: My sister is a tough opponent says Yemisi Olatunji". ACLSports. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ PositiveNaija (2018-12-27). "Yemisi Olatunji & Sodiq Taiwo Win OTrafford PSA National Closed Satellite Squash Tournament 2018". PositiveNaija. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Sodiq, Olatunji Win O'Trafford PSA National Tourney – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2016-03-17). "Top seeds advance, as Lagos International Squash Classics enters crucial stage". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Report, Agency (2018-03-23). "Yemisi Olatunji crashes out of Lagos International Squash Classics". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Ojoye, Taiwo (2018-02-06). "Olatunji sets 2018 Calgary PSA target". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2017-08-28). "Britain's top player, Tom Ford, Yemisi Olatunji win maiden Chamberlain Squash Open tourney". The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Kuti, Dare (2018-08-08). "Squash: Yemisi Olatunji retains Zimbabwe Open title". ACLSports. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Growing squash needs support, says West Africa & Nigeria's number one Yemisi Olatunji". SportsRation. 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Ojoye, Taiwo (2018-04-18). "How Nigeria can catch up with Egypt in squash —Yemisi". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ Ogwo, Ogechukwu (2019-02-28). "Nigeria's No.1 squash player laments Govt. neglect". Latest Sports News in Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ sunnews (2017-10-19). "Squash star tasks FG on devt". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
- ^ "Level 1 Referees – NSF". nigeriasquashfed.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.