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 continued her impressive run at the Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 beating World number one Syakuroh Qonitah from Indonesia 21-7, 13-21, 21-11 to the gold medal in the Women’s singles SL3.
Enroute the final, Eniola in the First Round of the championship, beat Emoma Ivanovna from Bulgaria 21-10,21-8 to proceed to the Second Round where she succeeded in subduing Mandeep Kaur from India 21-16,21-17(2-0) to book her place to the quarter final
At the Quarter Final, Bolaji beat Manasi JOSHI also from India 21-13,21-11 to secure a berth in the Semi-Final of the category. There, she prevailed on Zuxian XIAO from China 21-13,20-22,21-15 to book her place into the final.
This success recorded by Eniola has also qualified her for the Paralympics in Paris next year.
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 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.