…. Bolaji defeats World no 1 and Asia no 1
Nigeria’s Para Badminton player, Eniola Bolaji has qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games. Bolaji defeated World number 1 Ikhtiar Syakuroh (Indonesia) 2-1 (21-7, 13-21, 21-11) to win gold in the women’s singles SL3 at the 5th Pazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 in Dubai.
Enroute the final, African number 1, Eniola Bolaji in the First Round beat Emoma Ivanovna from Bulgaria 2-0 (21-10, 21-8) to proceed to the Second Round where she succeeded in subduing Mandeep Kaur from India 2-0 (21-16,21-17) to book her place to the quarter final.
At the Quarter Final, Bolaji beat Manasi JOSHI also from India 2-0 (21-13, 21-11) to secure a berth in the Semi-Final of the category. There, she prevailed over Zuxian XIAO from China 21-13, 20-22, 21-15 (2-1) to book her place into the final.
While hailing the strings of achievements recorded by the player, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih said given the determination and willpower of the athlete, it did not come as a surprise that she won.
He further asserted the resolve of the Federation to support all athletes competing and carrying Nigeria’s flag at any level. Orbih expressed his delight at the development and congratulated the player on this momentous success.
In her reaction, Eniola Bolaji expressed appreciation to the Federation for their support.
“I am very thankful to the Badminton Confederation of Africa and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria who have supported me and sent me to Spain,” she reacted after her victory.
Bolaji, who created a stir winning the Spanish Open Para Badminton International on her first international debut in 2021, has been unbeaten in 2023 winning the Uganda International 2023 before clinching three gold medals at the Africa Para Badminton Championships in Kampala, Uganda.
