Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji has advanced to the final of the 2026 Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain after a commanding semifinal victory on Friday, February 13.
The reigning African champion defeated China’s Gaoying Yuan in straight sets, 21–12, 21–16, in the women’s SL3 semifinal at the New Capital Indoor Hall.
Bolaji will now face Japan’s Shino Kawai in the final scheduled for February 14, as she aims to secure her first world title.
The Nigerian star has been in imperious form throughout the tournament. She opened her campaign with a dominant 2–0 (21–13, 21–12) win over Australia’s Caitlin Dransfield, currently ranked world No. 18. She followed this with a crushing 2–0 (21–3, 21–7) victory against Brazil’s world No. 10 Adriane Ávila.
In the Round of 16, Bolaji comfortably dispatched France’s Milena Surreau 21–13, 21–12, before overcoming Turkey’s world No. 5 Halime Yildiz 21-6, 21-9 in a hard-fought quarterfinal clash to book her place in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna delivered a historic performance in the men’s SL4 event, securing a bronze medal after a semifinal defeat to India’s world No. 2 Naveen Sivakumar.
With their podium finishes, Bolaji and Nnanna have become the first African players to win medals at the Para-Badminton World Championship — a landmark achievement for Nigeria and the continent.
Bolaji had earlier etched her name in history as the first African to win a para-badminton medal at the Paralympic Games, claiming bronze at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
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Reacting to the athletes’ performances, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed pride in their achievements.
“I am excited that Eniola Bolaji has reached her second final in two months, and that Chigozie Nnanna has secured his first World Championship medal,” Orbih said.
“There have been deliberate and strategic plans to ensure that more athletes, beyond Bolaji, attain podium success. I am delighted that this vision is becoming a reality, particularly following our successful hosting of the African Para-Badminton Championships in Abia State last year.
“If all goes as planned, Bolaji could claim her second gold medal of the year, a major confidence boost as she continues her journey toward the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.”
Orbih also commended the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics for their unwavering support toward the growth of para-badminton in Nigeria.
