Nigerian para-badminton star and Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, delivered a stunning performance on Saturday, July 26, to win the 2025 British and Irish Para Badminton International at the Sport Wales National Centre in Cardiff.
Ranked world No. 2, Bolaji battled back from a second-set loss to defeat reigning Paralympic champion and world No. 1, Qonitah Syakuroh, in a thrilling 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 21-13) victory in the women’s SL3 final.
The match showcased Bolaji’s resilience and tactical brilliance. After splitting the first two sets, she trailed in the decisive third set but mounted a spirited comeback from 11-all, overpowering Syakuroh to secure her most prestigious international title to date.
Bolaji’s journey to the final was equally dominant. She opened her campaign with a 2-0 (21-12, 21-18) win over Australia’s Celine Vinot, followed by straight-set victories against France’s world No. 10 Milena Surreau (21-8, 21-18) and India’s Sanjana Kumari (21-5, 21-15). In the semifinals, she again met Vinot and cruised to a 21-4, 21-8 demolition to book her place in the final.
Reacting to the historic win, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, hailed Bolaji’s triumph as a symbol of her relentless dedication and growth.
> “This is a huge win for Nigeria. Bolaji has just avenged her loss to the world No. 1 from the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Her progress is undeniable, and we are confident she will achieve even greater feats,” Orbih said.
He added that the BFN, Badminton Confederation of Africa (BCA), and the National Sports Commission remain fully committed to supporting Bolaji as she continues to raise Nigeria’s flag on the global stage.
