Bolaji wins Nigeria’s first medal at the paralympic games

Eniola Bolaji has secured Nigeria’s inaugural medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

In a commanding performance, Bolaji triumphed over Ukraine’s Kozyna Oksana with a decisive 2-0 victory (21-9, 21-9) to claim the bronze medal in the Women’s Singles SL3 category of para badminton.

Her exceptional display on the court earned her a historic milestone as the first African to win an Olympic medal.

However, Bolaji faced a setback in the semi-finals, where she was defeated by the world number 2 seed with a score of 2-0.

Following the match, Bolaji shared that the loss in the semi-finals was due to the intense pressure she felt.

“I lost the semi-final match yesterday because I was overwhelmed by the pressure I placed on myself. I was very eager to win, especially since I had defeated my opponent twice before the Olympics. My anxiety led to numerous mistakes that she capitalized on. I’ve learned that staying calm under pressure is crucial,” Bolaji remarked.

Dina Sarinena, Bolaji’s coach, praised her performance at the games.

“Bolaji performed admirably, especially for her first Olympic appearance. The semi-final loss was influenced by pressure, a broken racket, and the superior experience of her opponent. Nevertheless, she did exceptionally well and will benefit from continued support and participation in more international events. Additional competition experience could have been advantageous,” Sarinena noted.

Sunday Odebode, President of the Paralympic Committee Nigeria, expressed optimism about Bolaji’s achievement.

“We are thrilled with the medal, and we believe this will pave the way for more successes for Nigeria. Bolaji deserved a silver or even gold medal; mistakes she made cost her the semi-final match. However, this being her first Olympic experience, she has gained valuable lessons,” Odebode said.