Bolaji’s Rise: Nigerian Para‑Badminton Champ Now No. 1 Worldwide

Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji has climbed to the top of the global para‑badminton rankings in the women’s SL3 category, becoming World No. 1 after a standout performance in Bahrain. Her ascent marks a defining moment in her career and for Nigerian para‑sport.

The ranking breakthrough came after Bolaji secured a silver medal at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championship in Bahrain, where she advanced to the final before falling to Japan’s Shino Kawai. Despite not winning gold, her results earned enough points to overtake the previous top player from Indonesia.

Bolaji’s journey to number one has also been boosted by her success earlier this year, including a title defense at the Egypt International in January. She dethroned Indonesia’s Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh to claim the world’s leading spot.

The President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria hailed the achievement as a landmark for both the country and the African continent, highlighting the significance of her achievement for para‑badminton’s growth.

Bolaji’s rise to the summit of world rankings underscores her consistency and talent on the international stage, making her one of the most prominent figures in global para‑badminton.