History has been made for African sport as Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji officially rises to World No. 1 in the women’s SL3 category, becoming the first African athlete ever to hold the top global ranking in the division. The ranking confirmation, released on February 17 by the Badminton World Federation, reflects months of consistent elite performances that have steadily positioned the Nigerian star at the summit of world para-badminton.
Bolaji’s historic climb was sealed following her silver-medal finish at the 2026 World Para Badminton Championships in Bahrain, where she advanced to the final before facing Japan’s Shino Kawai. Although the championship match ended in a straight-sets loss, the result delivered enough ranking points—combined with her successful title defense at the Egypt International earlier in the year—to move her ahead of Indonesia’s former world No. 1 and claim the top position.
The milestone continues a remarkable run that began at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, where Bolaji secured a historic bronze medal, becoming the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at either the Olympic or Paralympic level. Her rise since then has been defined by consistency, improved tournament participation, and a growing presence on the global competitive circuit.
Reacting to the achievement, Francis Orbih, president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, described the moment as one of the most significant breakthroughs for Nigerian badminton, noting that Bolaji’s return to peak competitive form over the past season laid the foundation for her current dominance. He also acknowledged the institutional backing provided by the National Sports Commission, the Abia State Government, and corporate sponsor GIG Logistics, whose support has helped sustain her international campaign.
Bolaji’s ascent to world No. 1 represents more than a personal triumph; it marks a defining milestone for African para-sport, signaling the growing global competitiveness of athletes from the continent and opening a new chapter for Nigerian badminton on the international stage.
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