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Draft:Olatunji Yemisi

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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].

Olatunji Yemisi
Full nameOlatunji Yemisi Olufunmilayo
Country Nigeria
Born (1994-02-14) 14 February 1994 (age 30)
Igbara-Odo, Ekiti State
Height5.7 ft (174 cm)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
Turned Pro2014
Retired2023
PlaysRight-handed
Racquet usedHarrow
Highest ranking104
Medal record
Women'sSquash
Representing  Nigeria
National Sport Festival "EDO 2020"
Gold medal – first place 2021 Edo Singles
Gold medal – first place 2018 Abuja Singles
Safegaurd Zimbabwe Squash International Open
Gold medal – first place 2018 Zimbabwe Singles
Gold medal – first place 2017 Zimbabwe Singles
President Obasanjo Squash Open
Gold medal – first place 2014 Abeokuta Singles
Gold medal – first place 2013 Abeokuta Singles

Education

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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.

Early Squash Career

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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 Sadiat Akande 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

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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

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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 Second Runner Up Singles
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

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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]

Professional Certificate/Courses

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  • 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

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  1. ^ "Getting to Know Nigerian No.1 Yemisi Olatunji". World Squash. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  2. ^ Kuti, Dare (2019-01-05). "Squash: My sister is a tough opponent says Yemisi Olatunji". ACLSports. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  3. ^ PositiveNaija (2018-12-27). "Yemisi Olatunji & Sodiq Taiwo Win OTrafford PSA National Closed Satellite Squash Tournament 2018". PositiveNaija. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  4. ^ "Sodiq, Olatunji Win O'Trafford PSA National Tourney – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ Report, Agency (2018-03-23). "Yemisi Olatunji crashes out of Lagos International Squash Classics". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  7. ^ Ojoye, Taiwo (2018-02-06). "Olatunji sets 2018 Calgary PSA target". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Kuti, Dare (2018-08-08). "Squash: Yemisi Olatunji retains Zimbabwe Open title". ACLSports. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  10. ^ "Growing squash needs support, says West Africa & Nigeria's number one Yemisi Olatunji". SportsRation. 2019-04-06. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  11. ^ Ojoye, Taiwo (2018-04-18). "How Nigeria can catch up with Egypt in squash —Yemisi". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  12. ^ Ogwo, Ogechukwu (2019-02-28). "Nigeria's No.1 squash player laments Govt. neglect". Latest Sports News In Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  13. ^ sunnews (2017-10-19). "Squash star tasks FG on devt". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  14. ^ "Level 1 Referees - NSF". nigeriasquashfed.com. Retrieved 2024-09-14.