Badminton: Kwara’s Eniola Bolaji rises to World number 7

Kwara’s Eniola Bolaji Mariam has become the first Nigerian and African to win Spanish Para Badminton International Championship 2024 and a gold medal.

She has been ranked World number 7 in the Women’s SL3 according to the World Para Badminton Governing Body.

Mariam was discovered 4 years ago in Kwara State by Late Coach, Bello Oyebanji, and has continued to enjoy the support of the Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq-led Kwara State Government to conquer the world.

The Kwara-born player overwhelmed World number 6, Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine 2-0 to clinch the gold medal in the women’s SL3 at the 2024 Spanish Championship.

En route to her triumph, the 19-year-old, who is currently ranked seventh in the Women’s SL3 according to the World Para Badminton governing body, defeated two players ranked in the top five in her category.

In the first round, she defeated Coraline Bergeron from France in two straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-17) and continued her winning streak in the second round, beating Parul Dalsukhbhai Parmer from India 2-0 (21-9, 21-7).

Bolaji overcame world number four Manasi Jochi from India 2-0 (22-20, 21-10) in the third round to secure a spot in the semi-final, where she also edged world number three Halime Yildiz from Turkey 2-0 (21-16, 21-8).