By Leonard Okachie
Nigeria’s Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, has qualified for the finals of the First Abia Para Badminton International Tournament at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
She defeated Cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo 2-0 (21-7, 21-3) in the women’s singles SL3 semi-finals of the tournament on Saturday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bolaji is ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation.
She won bronze in the SL3 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, becoming the first African athlete to achieve the feat in the sport.
Similarly, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna triumphed over India’s Kuldeep Mahkul 2-0 (21-8, 21-16) in the men’s singles SL4 category.
Nnanna, ranked first in Africa in the SL4 class, was the first African to reach the quarter-finals of the 2024 Para Badminton World Championship in Thailand.
Also, Nnanna and Obinna Nwosu defeated India’s Nilesh Gaikwad and Hemant 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4 match.
In other semi-final matches, Brazil’s Ana Reis beat India’s Kanak Jaduan 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) in women’s singles SL4, while Mikaela Almeida of Brazil defeated India’s Arati Patil 2-0 (21-9, 21-14) in women’s singles SU5.
Players from Peru, India and other countries also won in 38 matches and 19 events to qualify for Sunday’s finals.
A total of 114 players from 13 countries are competing in the historic tournament, holding from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5.
Participating nations include Brazil, India, Peru, Egypt, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, DR Congo, Mauritius, Mozambique and host nation, Nigeria.
The tournament will be followed by the All Africa Para Badminton Championship from Oct. 7 to Oct. 12 at the same venue.
(NAN)
