18-year-old Eniola Bolaji has broken the record and won Nigeria’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
Eniola made history as the first African athlete to win a medal in Para-Badminton after securing a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category.
On Monday morning, Bolaji defeated her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) to win Nigeria’s first Paralympics medal in Paris.
Bolaji won both sets with an identical 21-9 scoreline against the overwhelmed Ukrainian and wrapped up the match in 24 minutes.
On Sunday, the teenager had become the first African to qualify for the semi-final of a badminton event at the Paralympic Games. She defeated India’s Mandeep Kaur 2-0 in the quarter-final.
However, in the semi-final, Bolaji’s dream of winning gold was cut short by China’s Xiao Zhuxian. The Chinese para-athlete proved a sterner competitor than the Nigerian.
Bolaji had promised to win a medal at the Paralympics to honour Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, her late coach. Oyebanji died in a road accident while Bolaji was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.
Flora Ugwunwa will hope to add to Nigeria’s medal haul at the Paris Paralympics when she competes in the final of the F54 women’s shot put later in the day.
Kayode Alabi and Isau Ogunkunle are also scheduled for round of 16 of the men’s table tennis.
