By Debo Oshundun
Eniola Bolaji has won the first medal for Nigeria in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
She defeated Kozyna Oksana of Ukraine 2-0 (21-9 and 21-9) to win the bronze medal in para badminton in the Women Singles SL3 category.
Bolaji put up a brilliant performance to beat her opponent.
She made history by being the first African to win an Olympic medal.
Bolaji, on Sunday, lost the semi-final match to the world number 2 seed (2-0).
She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) after the match that she lost the semi-final match due to pressure.
“I lost my semi-final match yesterday due to the pressure I put myself.
“I was anxious to win, and because I had beaten my opponent twice before the Olympics, I was eager to win.
”In the process, I made a lot of mistakes that she took advantage of.
“I have learnt my lesson, that I have to be calm no matter the pressure, ” Bolaji said.
Dina Sarinena, the athlete’s Coach, told NAN that Bolaji put up a brilliant performance at the games.
“Bolaji did well at the games, being her first Olympic.
“She lost the semi-final due to pressure, she had issue of broken racket, and the Chinese was better and more experienced.
”But in all, she did very well, all she needs now is everybody’s support and she should go for more international competitions.
“If she had gone for more competitions, it could have being an advantage to her,” she said.
Also, Sunday Odebode, President of Paralympic Committee Nigeria, said that Bolaji’s medal would open doors for more to Nigeria.
“We are all very happy for the medal, we believe this will open doors for more medals for us.
“Bolaji deserves silver or even gold medal, she made some mistakes which cost her the semi-final match.
“But she has learnt her lesson, being her first Olympic,” Odebode said. (NAN)
