Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Eniola Bolaji, has booked a place in the final of the 2026 Para-Badminton World Championship in Bahrain after a commanding semifinal victory on Friday, February 13.
The Paris 2024 Paralympic bronze medalist delivered a dominant performance in the women’s SL3 category, defeating China’s Gaoying Yuan in straight sets, 21–12, 21–16, at the New Capital Indoor Hall. Bolaji will now face Japan’s Shino Kawai in Saturday’s final as she aims to clinch her maiden world title.
Bolaji has been in outstanding form throughout the tournament, opening her campaign with a convincing 2–0 win over Australia’s Caitlin Dransfield, the world No. 18. She followed up with an emphatic victory against Brazil’s world No. 10, Adriane Ávila, cruising to a 21–3, 21–7 triumph.
In the Round of 16, the African champion eased past France’s Milena Surreau with a 21–13, 21–12 win before overpowering Turkey’s world No. 5, Halime Yildiz, 21–6, 21–9 in the quarterfinals to seal her semifinal spot.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna secured a historic bronze medal in the men’s SL4 category after falling in the semifinals to India’s world No. 2, Naveen Sivakumar.
His podium finish, alongside Bolaji’s remarkable run, makes them the first African athletes to win medals at the Para-Badminton World Championship, marking a major milestone for Nigeria and the continent.
Bolaji had earlier etched her name in history as the first African to claim a para-badminton medal at the Paralympic Games, following her bronze medal performance at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
Reacting to the athletes’ achievements, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, expressed pride and optimism.
“I am delighted that Eniola Bolaji has reached her second final in just two months and that Chigozie Nnanna has secured his first World Championship medal,” he said.
Orbih attributed the success to deliberate development strategies, noting that efforts were being made to expand podium opportunities beyond a single athlete.
He added that Bolaji’s potential gold medal would further strengthen her confidence ahead of preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics, while also commending the National Sports Commission, Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics for their unwavering support of para-badminton development in Nigeria.
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