Eniola Bolaji has made history by becoming the first African athlete to clinch a medal in Para-Badminton. She secured a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category. The 18-year-old emerged victorious over her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, with a flawless performance, winning in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9) to claim Nigeria’s inaugural Paralympics medal in Paris.
With this groundbreaking feat, Bolaji is now the first African player to win a medal in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics. She also set new records as the first African player to win a match at the Paralympics and the first African player to reach the semifinals in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics. Bolaji stands out as the only player to win a medal for Nigeria in Badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics.
Reacting to her historic win on X, Bolaji dedicated her medal to her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who tragically died in a motor accident three years ago.
Nigeria places 7th in women’s shot put
Team Nigeria also participated in the Women’s Shot Put F54 category of the Para-Athletics. Flora Ugwunwa, the gold medallist from Rio 2016, concluded the event in 7th place with her best throw measuring 6.72m. She is set to hopefully make a comeback in her speciality, the Javelin F54, to secure her third consecutive gold medal.
