Nigeria’s Mariam Eniola Bolaji has made history by becoming the first African athlete to win a medal in para-badminton at the ongoing Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
The 18-year-old secured a podium finish three years after her coach, Bello Oyebanji, died in a road accident while she was preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics.
In the Women’s Singles SL3 division, she won bronze for Nigeria after defeating Kozyna Oksana of Ukraine 21-9, 21-9, the post added.
This medal marks Team Nigeria’s first victory in the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic games this season. She also became the first African player to win a badminton match at the Paralympics when she triumphed over Celine Aurelie Vinot of Australia.
Minister of Sports Development Senator John Owan Enoh has since congratulated Mariam Eniola Bolaji on her victory, according to a post.
Team Nigeria now sits in joint 61st place in the medal table with five other countries (Ecuador, Iraq, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Nepal) following this victory.
As the Paralympic games continue, Bolawa Akingbemisiu, Kayode Alabi, and Isau Ogunkule will compete in the Round of 16 of table tennis. The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which began on August 28th, will conclude on Sunday, September 8th.
