Nigeria’s para-badminton star, Mariam Eniola Bolaji, continued her impressive run on the international stage by claiming the silver medal at the 2026 British & Irish Para-Badminton International, held in Ireland on Sunday.
Bolaji produced a series of outstanding performances throughout the tournament, demonstrating the resilience, determination and consistency that have established her among the world’s leading para-badminton athletes.
In a thrilling women’s singles SL3 final, the Nigerian narrowly lost to Japan’s Shino Kawai in a fiercely contested match, falling 21-18, 23-21 after pushing her opponent to the limit.
Although she narrowly missed out on the gold medal, Bolaji’s silver-medal finish marks another significant milestone in her growing career and further enhances Nigeria’s reputation on the global para-badminton stage.
Her sustained success continues to inspire aspiring athletes across Nigeria and the African continent.
Reacting to the achievement, the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised Bolaji for her discipline, commitment and excellence.
He also commended the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, her coaches, support team, sponsors and all stakeholders whose dedication has contributed to her continued success.
Olopade reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to supporting Nigerian athletes, noting that the National Sports Commission will continue to provide the necessary backing to ensure they remain well prepared to excel at both national and international competitions.
