Mariam Eniola Bolaji shines at Paris 2024 Paralympics

 

At the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Mariam Eniola Bolaji made history by winning the bronze medal in women's Para badminton SL3, becoming the first African to medal in badminton at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games. This remarkable achievement not only brought pride to her home country of Nigeria but also to the entire African continent.

Bolaji's journey to this historic moment began with a setback when she lost to Oksana Kozyna in 2021. However, she turned the tables in Paris, securing her place on the podium. Reflecting on her triumph, Bolaji expressed her delight, saying, "I feel so good, so nice. I’ve been breaking records since 2021, and I’m continuing to do that for Africans in Para badminton." Despite aiming for gold, she was grateful for the opportunity to make history.

Originally a Para table tennis player, Bolaji was introduced to Para badminton in 2018 by her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji. Oyebanji's tragic death in 2021, just as Bolaji was preparing for the postponed Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, served as a powerful motivator for her. She dedicated her medal to him, stating, “My late coach was the one who brought me through. He would be very proud of me.”

Bolaji's success is poised to inspire a new generation of African athletes. She hopes her achievement will encourage more young players to pursue Para badminton and excel at the Paralympic level. After celebrating her historic win, Bolaji plans to support her Nigerian teammates and then address an ankle injury that has troubled her throughout the Games. Despite the pain, Bolaji’s achievement stands as a testament to her dedication and resilience.