Para Badminton gold medallist qualifies for Paris Paralympics

Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji Mariam has continued her dominance in para badminton by qualifying for the Paralympics in Paris next year.

Eniola won the gold medal in thewomen’s singlesevent of thefifth Pazza Dubai Para Badminton International by defeating women’s world number five, three and one in the SL-3 category of the championship.

Eniola, who created a stir when she won the Spanish Open Para Badminton International on her debut in 2021, has been unbeaten in 2023. She won the Uganda International before clinching three gold medals at the Africa Para Badminton Championships also in Kampala, Uganda.

She continued her impressive run at the Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International beating World number one Syakuroh Qonitah from Indonesia 21-7, 13-21, 21-11 (2-1) to the gold medal in the Women’s singles SL3.

En route the final, Eniola beat Emoma Ivanovna from Bulgaria 21-10,21-8(2-0) in the first round to proceed and subdued Mandeep Kaur from India 21-16,21-17(2-0) to book her place in the quarterfinal.

At the quarterfinal, Eniola beat Manasi Joshi, also from India, 21-13,21-11(2-0) to secure a berth in the semifinal of the category. There, she prevailed on Zuxian XIAO from China 21-13,20-22,21-15 (2-1) to book her place into the final.

This points garnered from these victories have guaranteed by Eniola a spot at the Paralympics in Paris next year.

Elated by Eniola’s achievements, Badminton Federation of Nigeria President, Francis Orbih, said given the determination and willpower of the athlete, it did not come as a surprise that she won.
He reaffirmed the resolve of the Federation to support all athletes competing and carrying Nigeria’s flag at any level.

Thanking the federation for their support, Eniolasaid: “I am thankful to Badminton Confederation of Africa and the Badminton Federation of Nigeria who have supported me and sent me to Spain.”