Nigeria’s para-badminton sensation, Eniola Bolaji, has soared to World No. 1 in the women’s SL3 category, according to the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Tuesday.
Bolaji’s rise to the summit follows her historic silver medal performance at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain. She narrowly missed gold after falling 2–0 (21–12, 21–17) to Japan’s Shino Kawai in the final held at the New Capital Hall on February 14.
With this achievement, Bolaji dethrones Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh to become the new world leader in her category. Her ranking boost was further strengthened by her successful title defence at the Egypt International in January, where she claimed back-to-back victories.
President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih, described the milestone as a landmark moment for both Nigeria and Africa. He noted that Bolaji’s success reflects strategic investment and structured development within the country’s para-badminton programme.
Orbih also highlighted the contributions of key stakeholders, including the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and GIG Logistics, whose support has created an enabling environment for athletes to excel globally.
Despite settling for silver, Bolaji made history as the first African to win a silver medal at the World Para Badminton Championship — a feat that further cements her status as one of the sport’s leading figures worldwide.
Her ascent to World No. 1 marks another defining chapter in an already remarkable career, positioning her as a trailblazer for para-sports across the continent.
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