Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji Stuns World No. 1 to Win British and Irish Para Badminton International

Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji delivered a statement performance on Saturday, overcoming world No. 1 Qonitah Syakuroh to claim the women’s SL3 title at the 2025 British and Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff, Sport360NG reports.

Competing at the Sport Wales National Centre, the world No. 2 edged a pulsating final 2-1 (21-16, 16-21, 21-13) to secure the most significant victory of her career and avenge her semi-final defeat to the Indonesian at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Bolaji got off to a confident start, taking the first game 21-16. Though Syakuroh responded strongly to level the match with a second-game win by the same scoreline, the Nigerian star held her nerve in a tense decider. Trailing early in the third game, Bolaji found another gear from 11 points onward, surging ahead to seal a 21-13 triumph.

Her road to the final was marked by consistency and dominance. After dispatching Australia’s Celine Vinot 2-0 (21-12, 21-18) in the second round, Bolaji went on to defeat world No. 10 Milena Surreau of France (21-8, 21-18), and later swept aside India’s Sanjana Kumari (21-5, 21-15). She faced Vinot once again in the semi-finals, cruising to a commanding 21-4, 21-8 victory.

Reacting to the win, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, praised Bolaji’s resilience and growth.

“This is an incredible achievement. Beating the world’s top-ranked player, especially after what happened in Paris, is a clear sign of how much she has improved,” Orbih said. “We’re proud of her progress and hope she carries this momentum into future international competitions, including the next Paralympic Games.”

The National Sports Commission (NSC) also celebrated Bolaji’s gold-medal success. Seyi Johnson, Chief of Staff to the NSC Director General, described her victory as a triumph of potential and opportunity.

“This result shows what can be achieved when talent is nurtured and supported. We’re grateful to our leadership at the NSC for creating an environment where para-sports can flourish,” Johnson said.

He added that Bolaji’s performance sets the tone for Nigeria’s campaign at the upcoming Commonwealth Games and the next Paralympic cycle.