Eniola Bolaji of Nigeria defeated her Ukrainian opponent, Oksana Kozyna, in straight sets 2-0 (21-9, 21-9), winning Nigeria’s first Paralympic medal in Paris.
Eniola also became the first African athlete to win a medal in Para-Badminton, securing a bronze medal for Nigeria in the Women’s Singles SL3.
She put up a brave fight but lost 0-2 to China’s Xiao Zuxian in the Women’s Singles SL3 semifinals at the Paralympic Games in France, which led her to compete in the bronze medal match.
This victory means that Eniola broke a 32-year-old jinx, as Nigeria had never won a medal in Badminton since making their debut at the Paralympics in 1992.
An elated Eniola dedicated the medal to her late coach, Rafiu Bello, who passed away three years ago.