Badminton
2026 BWF Para-Badminton: Bolaji Breezes Past Yuan, Qualifies For Final in Bahrain
Nigerian para-badminton sensation Mariam Eniola Bolaji has continued her remarkable rise on the global stage after booking a place in the final of the 2026 BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Manama, Bahrain.
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Bolaji, who is ranked world number two in the women’s SL3 category, delivered another composed and commanding performance in the semifinals, defeating China’s Gaoying Yuan 21–16, 21–12.
The straight-games victory underlined her growing authority at the top level of para-badminton and moved her one step away from a world title.
The championships, running from February 8 to 14, are being staged at the Isa Sports City, where Bolaji has been one of the standout athletes of the tournament.
Her journey to the final has been defined by dominance and consistency.
In the quarterfinals, she swept aside Turkey’s Halime Yildiz 21–6, 21–9, barely giving her opponent room to settle into the contest.
Bolaji’s run in Manama caps an outstanding start to the 2026 season.
Just weeks earlier, she successfully defended her crown at the Egypt Para-Badminton International, once again overpowering Yildiz in the final with a convincing 21–10, 21–4 win.
The results reflect an athlete in peak form, combining tactical intelligence with clinical execution on court.
Already a trailblazer, Bolaji continues to build on her historic legacy.
In 2024, she became the first African athlete to win a Paralympic medal in badminton, claiming bronze at the Paris Paralympic Games.
She enters the world championship final as Africa’s number one player and remains firmly established among the global elite in the SL3 category.
Her impact has also been recognised off the court, having recently received the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award for her contributions to the sport.
With the final now in sight, Bolaji will be aiming to crown her impressive campaign in Bahrain with a gold medal, further cementing her status as one of Africa’s most successful para-sport athletes.
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