NIGERIA’S Eniola Bolaji has qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympics in badminton after achieving success in Dubai.
Bolaji won the gold medal in women’s singles at the 5th Pazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 by defeating women’s world numbers five, three and one of the SL-3 category of the championship.
Bolaji, who caused a stir by winning the Spanish Open Para Badminton International on her international tournament debut in 2021, has been unbeaten in 2023.
She also won the Uganda International 2023 before clinching three gold medals at the Africa Para Badminton Championships in the same country.
Bolaji continued her impressive run at the Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 by beating World number one Syakuroh Qonitah from Indonesia 21-7, 13-21, 21-11 (2-1) to the gold medal in the women’s singles SL3.
On the way to the final, Bolaji beat Emoma Ivanovna from Bulgaria 21-10, 21-8(2-0) to proceed to the second round where she defeated Mandeep Kaur of India 21-16, 21-17(2-0) to book her place to the quarter-finals.
Bolaji then beat Manasi Joshi also from India 21-13, 21-11(2-0) to advance to the semi-finals, where she saw off Zuxian Ciao of China 21-13, 20-22, 21-15 (2-1) to book her place in 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, Bolaji expressed appreciation to the Federation 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.
