BOLAJI MAKES HISTORY AS WORLD NO. 1 IN PARA BADMINTON

By: Gyang Dakwo

Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji has become World No. 1 in the Women’s SL3 category of para badminton, making her the first African to reach the top of the global rankings.

The latest rankings released on Tuesday by the Badminton World Federation confirmed her rise after she won silver at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain. Her performance at the tournament gave her enough points to move ahead of Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh and claim the number one position.

Bolaji’s advance to the final was with confident displays. She however later lost 2 to 0, 21 to 12 and 21 to 17, to Japan’s Shino Kawai, but the runner up finish proved decisive for her ranking.

The significance of the achievement goes beyond the ranking because she also became the first African athlete to win a silver medal at the World Para Badminton Championship. Her steady climb was further strengthened by strong performances at international tournaments earlier in the season, which added valuable ranking points to her tally.

Earlier, she had made history at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris where she won bronze, and she became the first African player to claim an Olympic medal in badminton or para badminton.

Reaction from officials was swift as President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described the feat as a defining moment.

“This is the biggest news of the year, Eniola Bolaji claiming the World No. 1 spot following her participation in the 2024 Paralympic Games. She would likely have attained this position earlier if she had competed in more tournaments last year”, Orbih said.

“She regained full stability last season and has carried that momentum into this year, already featuring in two major tournaments with outstanding performances”.

Across the continent, the Badminton Confederation Africa also celebrated her success.

“History for Africa. For the first time ever, Africa is on top of the world rankings in Para Badminton. Mariam Eniola Bolaji has officially become World No. 1,” the body posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Recognition had earlier come in April 2025 when the 20-year-old received the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award during the Annual General Meeting of the Badminton Confederation Africa.

Her rise now places the Badminton Federation of Nigeria ahead of other federations under the National Sports Commission in producing a world number one athlete.