Bolaji Makes African Badminton History At Paris Paralympics

By: Gyang Dakwo

When Mariam Eniola Bolaji defeated Oksana Kozyna to clinch bronze in the women’s Para badminton SL3 at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, she created history not just for herself and her country Nigeria, but also for an entire continent.

Bolaji is now the first African player, male or female, to win a badminton medal at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.

It means that her name will be etched into Nigerian and African history forever, something that she now hopes will blaze a trail for other young players on the continent.

“I feel so good, so nice,” Bolaji reflected, the morning after her win. “I’ve been breaking records since 2021 and I’m continuing to do that for Africans in Para badminton.

“I played very well. I really trained for it, and I’m happy that I can make my dreams come true. I wanted the gold medal, but I still thank God for making me make history.”

Asked about the landmark bronze medal match against Kozyna she added: “I lost to her in 2021 at the group stage and won later in the final. Since then, I’ve been able to beat her.

“The crowds in Paris have been great. There are only two players that have come from Africa for Para badminton and everybody has been supporting me.”

Originally a Para table tennis player, Bolaji was encouraged to try out badminton by her late coach Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who tragically died in a traffic accident.

Now Bolaji is keen that her considerable achievements encourage more African players to both take up the sport and also succeed at Paralympic level.

Bolaji’s own immediate future will see her support her Nigerian team-mates in other events over the next three days, before returning home.