Christiana Alabi

Started: She took up the sport in 2017. (paralympic.org, 09 Jan 2023) Reason: She saw other people playing Para table tennis. "I was like, 'Wow, where have I been?'. Sport was part of me, but I never knew I could choose it as a career because of where I grew up. My daddy was the first to construct a racket for me." (paralympic.org, 09 Jan 2023) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympic.org, 09 Jan 2023) Additional Info: TRAINING WITH HUSBAND In 2022 she got married to fellow Nigerian Para table tennis player Kayode Alabi. The couple met at national trials in 2017, and Kayode then began coaching her. "Whenever we were training, I wanted him to treat me like his wife, but he always insisted that he would not do that as this would not help me to improve well. He was always professional in his approach, and this sometimes pained me. But I later realised that it was best for me to learn the hard way, and this has really helped me to improve faster than those I met in the game. I am so happy. I cannot just express how I feel because my husband has been very supportive." (paralympic.org, 11 Jun 2024; thenationonlineng.net, 12 Oct 2023)

Sporting Relatives: Her husband Kayode Alabi has represented Nigeria in Para table tennis. (thecable.ng, 22 Sep 2023; pulsesports.ng, 22 Sep 2023)