Nigeria’s Paralympic bronze medallist, Eniola Bolaji, has qualified for the finals of the 1st Abia Para Badminton International Tournament taking place at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
She won her match against Cameroon’s Danyele Mouafo 2-0 (21-7, 21-3) in the women’s singles SL3 semi-final on Saturday.
Bolaji is currently ranked second in the world in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation.
Also, Nigeria’s Chigozie Nnanna won his match against India’s Kuldeep Mahkul 2-0 (21-8, 21-16) in the men’s singles SL4.
In addition, Nnanna and Obinna Nwosu defeated India’s Nilesh Gaikwad and Hemant 2-0 (21-12, 21-6) in the men’s doubles SL3-SL4 category.
In other semi-final matches, Brazil’s Ana Reis beat India’s Kanak Jaduan 2-0 (21-1, 21-2) in the women’s singles SL4, while Mikaela Almeida (Brazil) defeated Arati Patil (India) 2-0 (21-9, 21-14) in the women’s singles SU5.
Players from Peru, India, and other countries also won their matches in the 38 matches and 19 events decided so far, qualifying for Sunday’s finals.
About 114 players from 13 countries — including Brazil, India, Peru, Egypt, Tunisia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mauritius, Mozambique, and the host nation, Nigeria — featured in the international Para Badminton Championship.
Ist Abia Para Badminton Int’l: Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji, Nnanna cruise to finals
