Eniola Bolaji, the first African athlete to rank first in the women’s SL3 para-badminton division, has been crowned the world’s best player.
After a series of impressive performances on the international circuit, Bolaji’s ascent to the top of the global rankings was verified by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on Tuesday, February 17.
She won a silver medal at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain, which cemented her rise. On Valentine’s Day, Bolaji dominated her way into the final before losing to Shino Kawai of Japan 2-0, a loss that nevertheless represented a significant turning point for badminton in Nigeria and Africa.
Her successful title defense at the Egypt International in January, which enabled her to gain enough points to pass Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh at the top of the rankings, further contributed to the ranking breakthrough.
Bolaji’s ascent carries on a groundbreaking career in which he has continuously set new records. She won a bronze medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, making history as the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at either the Olympics or the Paralympics. This marked Africa’s entry into the world of para-badminton.
Francis Orbih, president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, said in advertisements that Bolaji’s ranking may have been earlier if she had participated in more tournaments the previous season, calling the accomplishment one of the biggest moments in Nigerian sports this year.
With Eniola Bolaji securing the top spot in the world after competing in the 2024 Paralympic Games, this is the biggest news of the year.
If she had participated in more events the previous year, she probably would have achieved this rank sooner. She regained complete stability the previous season, and she has performed admirably this year,” he remarked.
He also gave gratitude to GIG Logistics, the Abia State Government, and the National Sports Commission for helping Bolaji compete at the top level.
Bolaji’s ascent to the top of the world rankings is a significant turning point for Nigerian sports and highlights her developing reputation as one of the top players in the world of para-badminton.
