Team Nigeria’s Mariam Bolaji has secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the women’s SL3 badminton event at the ongoing 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris.
Bolaji earned her place after a decisive 2-0 victory over Australia’s Celine Vinot, winning 21-8, 21-14. This marks Bolaji’s second triumph at the Games and it is her debut appearance on this prestigious stage.
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However, Bolaji’s compatriot, Chigozie Nnanna, faced a tougher challenge in the SL4 category, falling 2-0 to Indonesia’s world number 3, Fredy Setiawan. Nnanna put up a strong fight in the first set, narrowly losing 24-21, but the Indonesian player dominated the second set with a 21-12 win.
This historic moment also sees Bolaji and Nnanna as the first African athletes to win a match in badminton at the Paralympic Games.
Meanwhile, in the mixed doubles XD17 event, Kayode Alabi and Faith Obazuaye were defeated by the British duo of Joshua Stacey and Bly Twomey with a score of 1-3. The match ended with set scores of 6-11, 11-7, 6-11, and 6-11, sending the Nigerian pair out in the Round of 32, which caused them to exit the Paralympics.
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