Mariam Eniola Bolaji of Nigeria has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at the Paralympics or Olympics. At the Paris Paralympics on Monday, Bolaji clinched the bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 category, marking a significant achievement for both her and the continent. The 18-year-old athlete delivered an impressive performance, defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna with convincing scores of 21-9 and 21-9.
Bolaji’s victory is especially poignant given the circumstances surrounding her journey. It comes three years after the tragic death of her coach, Bello Oyebanji, who died in a road accident while Bolaji was preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics. This personal loss was a significant challenge for Bolaji, yet she has overcome it to make history. Her success at the Paris Paralympics also represents Nigeria’s first medal in this edition of the Games, further highlighting the significance of her achievement.