Eniola Bolaji of Nigeria has extended her dominance in para badminton by qualifying for the Paralympics in Paris next year.
Eniola won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 5th Pazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, defeating women’s world number five, three, and one in the championship’s Women’s Singles of the SL-3 category.
Bolaji, who made a splash on her international debut in 2021 by winning the Spanish Open Para Badminton International, has been unblemished in 2023, winning the Uganda International 2023 before claiming three gold medals at the Africa Para Badminton Championships in Kampala, Uganda.
Eniola extended her remarkable run at the Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023, winning the Women’s Singles SL3 gold medal by defeating World number one Syakuroh Qonitah of Indonesia 21-7, 13-21, 21-11.
Eniola advanced to the final by defeating Emoma Ivanovna of Bulgaria in the first round of the competition 21-10,21-8 to advance to the second round, where she defeated Mandeep Kaur of India 21-16,21-17(2-0).
Bolaji defeated Manasi JOSHI of India in the Quarter-Finals 21-13, 21-11 to go to the category Semi-Finals. There, she defeated Zuxian XIAO of China 21-13,20-22,21-15 to advance to the final.
This success recorded by Eniola has also qualified her for the Paralympics in Paris next year.
While lauding the player’s series of accomplishments, the President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, stated that given the athlete’s commitment and willpower, it was not surprising that she won.
He also stated the Federation’s determination to support all athletes participating and flying the Nigerian flag at any level.
Orbih expressed his joy at the development and praised the player on this historic achievement.
In her reaction, Bolaji expressed appreciation to the Federations for their support.
“I am very thankful to Badminton Confederation of Africa and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria who have supported me and sent me to Spain,” she re-acted after her victory.
