Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji Clinches 2025 British, Irish Para-badminton Gold Medal

Nigerian para-badminton star Eniola Bolaji, delivered a stunning performance on Saturday, 26th July, 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) victory over Australia’s Celine Vinot, followed by straight-set wins 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 once again faced Vinot and cruised to a 21-4, 21-8 demolition to book her place in the final.