Nigeria wins gold medal at 2026 Peru Para Badminton International
World’s number two Mariam Eniola Bolaji has clinched a gold medal in the Women’s Singles SL3 category at the just concluded 2026 Peru Para Badminton International in Lima.
Bolaji who is also a Paralympic bronze medallist delivered a commanding performance to defeat Brazil’s Kauana Beckenkamp in straight sets, 2-0 (21-12, 21-12) in Sunday’s final game to win gold.
The Nigerian who is the first African athlete to win an Olympic or Paralympic badminton medal, completed her entire campaign without dropping a single game across the tournament, conceding only 47 points in total.
“The Paralympic bronze medallist defeated Brazil’s Kauana Beckenkamp 21-12, 21-12 in the final to complete the tournament without dropping a single game,” the NSC stated in a poet on X on Monday.
“Bolaji won all four of her matches in straight sets, conceding just 47 points across the competition.
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“The victory adds another international title to an impressive 2026 season that has also seen the Nigerian claim gold in Egypt, silver at the World Championships in Bahrain and silver at the British & Irish Para-Badminton International.
“Bolaji, who made history at Paris 2024 as the first African athlete to win an Olympic or Paralympic badminton medal, continues to strengthen Nigeria’s presence at the highest level of para-badminton.”
While reacting to the development, Francis Orbih, the president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), said that Bolaji’s dominant tournament display forms a vital part of her elite competitive build-up toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
“This performance has once again proven Eniola’s consistency and her ability to overcome challenges. She has shown great character and determination to bounce back strongly,” he said.
“The Peru International is part of our build-up to the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, and performances like this are very encouraging as we continue with the preparations,” Orbih added.
