Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji is set to compete for gold at the 2026Bahrain World Championship in Bahrain on Saturday, following a commanding semifinal victory.
The reigning African champion defeated China’s Gaoying Yuan 21-12, 21-16 in the women’s SL3 semifinal at the New Capital Indoor Hall on Friday, setting up a final showdown with Japan’s Shino Kawai.
Bolaji has been in dominant form throughout the tournament, opening with a 21-13, 21-12 win over Australia’s world number 18, Caitlin Dransfield. She followed with a resounding 21-3, 21-7 victory against Brazil’s world number 10, Adriane Ávila. The Nigerian star then comfortably dispatched France’s Milena Surreau 21-13, 21-12 in the round of 16 and overcame Turkey’s world number five, Halime Yildiz, 21-6, 21-9 in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna delivered a historic performance in the men’s SL4 event, clinching a bronze medal after falling to India’s world number two, Naveen Sivakumar, in the semifinals.
With their podium finishes, Bolaji and Nnanna have become the first African athletes to win medals at the Para-Badminton World Championship, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria and the continent.
Bolaji had previously made history as the first African to win a para-badminton medal at the Paralympic Games, taking bronze at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
Reacting to the performances, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, expressed pride in the athletes’ achievements.
“I am thrilled that Eniola Bolaji has reached her second final in two months, and that Chigozie Nnanna has secured his first World Championship medal,” Orbih said.
He added, “There have been deliberate and strategic efforts to ensure more athletes, beyond Bolaji, reach the podium. It is gratifying to see this vision becoming a reality, especially following our successful hosting of the African Para-Badminton Championships in Abia State last year.
“If all goes as planned, Bolaji could claim her second gold medal of the year, a major confidence boost as she continues her journey towards the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.”
Orbih also commended the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics for their continued support in developing para-badminton in Nigeria.
