In a groundbreaking achievement for African sports, Mariam Eniola Bolaji has marked her name on the walls of history as the first African athlete to win a Paralympic medal in badminton.
The 18-year-old star, Mariam Eniola Bolaji secured a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3 category, defeating Ukraine’s Kozyna Oksana with a commanding score of 21-9, 21-9.
Her victory comes after a challenging semi-final loss on Sunday the first of September 2024, which demonstrated her resilience and unwavering determination.
Bolaji had promised to win a medal at the Paralympics to honor Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, her late coach who passed away in a road accident while Bolaji was preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. Reacting to her great win on Twitter, she wrote,
“It was an incredible round-up as I secured a bronze medal for myself, my country, my supporters, and Africa at large at the 2024 Paralympics. “God willing, I dedicate this achievement to my late coach, Bello Oyebanji”
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described Eniola’s remarkable victory as “A testament to her unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Her hard work and perseverance have paid off, not only for herself but for the entire Nigerian sporting community.”
