Paris Paralympics: 18-year-old Eniola Bolaji wins Nigeria’s first medal

Eniola Bolaji has won Nigeria’s first medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. 

The 18-year-old won a bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 badminton event at the La Chapelle Arena on Monday.

She defeated Ukraine‘s Kozyna Oksana 2-0 in a one-sided third-place match to clinch the country’s first medal at the Games.

Bolaji won both sets with an identical 21-9 scoreline against the overwhelmed Ukrainian and wrapped up the match in 24 minutes.

On Sunday, the teenager had become the first African to qualify for the semi-final of a badminton event at the Paralympic Games. She defeated India’s Mandeep Kaur 2-0 in the quarter-final.

However, in the semi-final, Bolaji’s dream of winning gold was cut short by China’s Xiao Zhuxian. The Chinese para-athlete proved a sterner competitor than the Nigerian.

Bolaji had promised to win a medal at the Paralympics to honour Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, her late coach. Oyebanji died in a road accident while Bolaji was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.

Flora Ugwunwa will hope to add to Nigeria’s medal haul at the Paris Paralympics when she competes in the final of the F54 women’s shot put later in the day.

Kayode Alabi and Isau Ogunkunle are also scheduled for round of 16 of the men’s table tennis.