Team Nigeria competed in the Para-Badminton event on the second day of the ongoing Paralympics in Paris, with Eniola Bolaji continuing her unbeaten run in the tournament.
The World No.2 faced Australia’s Celine Aurelie Vinot in the SL3 women’s singles and completely dominated both rounds, with the match ending with scores of 21-8 and 21-14 respectively. Bolaji will advance to the Quarterfinals in her first appearance at the Games.
It was a different scenario for teammate Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna who hoped to replicate his success from the previous day in his match against Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan in the Men’s Singles but fell short.
Setiawan took control in the first game, winning 21-12. Nnanna fought hard in the second game, trying to close the gap, but couldn’t manage to turn the tide. The second game ended 24-22.
That notwithstanding, both Bolaji and Nnanna have made history as the first set of African athletes to win their Para Badminton matches at the Paralympic Games.
