Mariam Eniola Bolaji, a prominent Para Badminton athlete from Nigeria, emerged victorious in the women’s singles SL3 category at the recently concluded Spanish Para Badminton International 2024 held in Victoria, Spain.
Defeating the world number 6, Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine, with a score of 2-0 (21-13, 21-8), Bolaji secured the gold medal during the weekend competition.
Prior to this remarkable win, Bolaji had triumphed over Emona Ivanova from Bulgaria, ranked number 13 globally, in a 2-0 (21-4, 21-8) victory, setting the stage for her showdown with the 2023 silver medalist.
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In earlier rounds, Bolaji showcased her prowess by defeating Mandeep Kaur Mandeep from India, the top seed, with a score of 2-0 (21-10, 21-8), and also outplayed Victoria Bailey from England with a 2-0 (21-5, 21-4) win in the first round of the 2024 Spanish International tournament.
The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed his joy and pride in Bolaji’s latest achievement, highlighting her consistent and impressive performance in the Para Badminton arena.
Orbih praised Bolaji’s dedication, determination, and growing influence in the sport, emphasizing her potential to excel on the global stage.
Looking ahead to the Paris Paralympic Games, Orbih assured that the Federation would provide full support to Bolaji, recognizing her as a strong contender for securing a medal for Nigeria on the international platform.
