Nigeria’s Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji has added another historic achievement to her name, securing gold at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2025 on Sunday.
Bolaji delivered a dominant performance in the women’s SL3 final, defeating Sweden’s Hillevi Salomonsson 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) to claim the title.
The African champion was unstoppable throughout the tournament, registering straight-set victories against Shahinda Mohamed (21-7, 21-2), Basma Nabil-Fawzy (21-6, 21-4), and Elizabeth Puma (21-2, 21-4) in earlier rounds.
According to the Badminton World Federation, Bolaji has participated in 10 international championships over the last two years, emerging victorious in every single one—an extraordinary accomplishment that solidifies her status as a global powerhouse in Para-Badminton.
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, praised Bolaji’s achievement, emphasizing its significance for Nigerian sports. “Eniola Bolaji’s gold medal at the Egypt International 2025 is a testament to her unparalleled talent and dedication. As the first and only African medalist in Para-Badminton at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, she has once again brought immense pride to Nigeria. Winning 10 consecutive international tournaments is no small feat; she is a national treasure and a global icon,” Orbih stated.
Orbih also highlighted Nigeria’s dedication to hosting world-class badminton events. “In collaboration with Abia State, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria is committed to delivering successful tournaments, including the Para-Badminton International Championship and the All Africa Para-Badminton Championship this October. We are fully dedicated to meeting and surpassing international standards,” he added.
Bolaji’s continued success not only raises Nigeria’s profile in the global badminton community but also inspires a new generation of athletes across Africa.
