Bolaji Makes Badminton History, Wins Second Gold Medal In 2025
Badminton star Eniola Bolaji continued her stunning rise with another gold medal at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International II in Vitoria on Sunday.
The Paralympic bronze medallist produced a dominant performance in the competition with a 2-0 (21-15, 21-2) victory over Kauana Michelson Beckenka of Brazil before another resounding win against France’s Caroline Bergeron 2-0 (21-7, 21-8) in the first round.
She defeated Australia’s Celine Vinot 2-0 (21-8, 21-12) to book a spot in the semi-final of the competition in style.
In the semifinals, Bolaji earned another dominant 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) win over India’s Neeraj to book a spot in the final.
Bolaji kept her best performance for the final match against Ukraine’s world No. 4 Oksana Kozyna with a 21-15, 21-15 victory to win the gold medal.
She continued her recent dominance over Kozyna with a fourth win in their last five meetings.
The Nigerian Badminton star has now extended her impressive record to 11 wins from 11 international appearances to further establish her growing status in the sport.
Bolaji’s gold-winning performance drew praises from the Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko
Dikko said: “Eniola Bolaji’s triumph is a proud moment for Nigerian sports. Her dedication, resilience, and exceptional talent continue to inspire the next generation of athletes.
“The National Sports Commission remains committed to supporting para-athletes and ensuring they have the resources to succeed on the global stage.”
On the other hand, NSC Director General, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the Badminton Federation of Nigeria for its commitment to excellence and player development.
“The consistent success of our para badminton players, led by Eniola Bolaji, underscores the impact of strategic investment in sports development. We applaud the Federation’s efforts and assure them of the Commission’s unwavering support in creating more opportunities for athletes to shine internationally.”
President of Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih was also full of praise for Bolaji’s remarkable achievement, noting that the gold marks her second in just two months.
He also thanked the National Sports Commission for their timely intervention, which has been crucial in aiding the federation’s growth
This is Bolaji’s second gold medal in 2025 following her triumph at the Egypt Para Badminton International 2025.
She defeated Sweden’s Hillevi Salomonsson 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) in the women’s SL3 final, underscoring her dominance in the event.
In 2024, Bolaji made history as the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at the Paralympic Games.
Bolaji Makes Badminton History, Wins Second Gold Medal In 2025 is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
