Several Nigerian athletes, including Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji, have advanced to the finals of the ongoing Africa Para Badminton Championships taking place at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State.
Bolaji, ranked second globally in the SL3 category by the Para World Badminton Federation, cruised past Danyele Mouafo of Cameroon with a commanding 2-0 (21-4, 21-0) victory in the women’s singles SL3 semi-final held on Saturday.
In the mixed doubles SL SU5 category, Bolaji teamed up with Chigozie Nnanna to defeat Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Makeu Mouafo of Cameroon 2-0 (21-14, 21-8).
Both players recently clinched gold medals in their respective categories at the First Abia Para Badminton International, which was held from 30 September to 5 October at the same venue.
Nnanna, Africa’s top-ranked player in the SL4 class, also secured a straight-sets victory over Kenya’s Benson Mutiso, winning 2-0 (21-5, 21-13) in the men’s singles SL4 event.
Similarly, James Akpan of Nigeria defeated Cameroon’s Etienne Bidjoka 2-0 (21-5, 21-5) in the men’s singles SL4, while Ifeanacho Ohaeri overcame compatriot Okechukwu Ibeabuchi 2-0 (21-8, 21-8) in the men’s singles wheelchair 2 category.
Other Nigerians who reached the finals include Chukwuemeka Eze, Chinyere Okoro, and Gift Chukwuemeka, with the championship deciders scheduled for Sunday.
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In other semi-final matches, Shaimaa Abdellatif of Egypt beat Irene Nkwa of Cameroon 2-0 (21-12, 21-17) in the women’s singles wheelchair 2 category. Egypt’s Mohammed Ahmed also triumphed over Nigeria’s Nmeribe Okpulor 2-0 (21-4, 21-1) in the men’s singles wheelchair 1, while Nigeria’s Victor Ozurumba lost 0-2 (15-21, 6-21) to Egypt’s Mohammed Faraq.
Tunisia’s Rima Abdelli and Omar Dakhi defeated Emadeldin Adel of Egypt and Mahoutin Nouatin of Benin Republic 2-1 (21-18, 18-21, 21-18), while Prince Mamvumvu-Kidila of Congo Democratic beat Kenya’s Caleb Omolo 2-0 (21-11, 21-9) in the men’s singles SU5.
The championship features over 150 athletes from 12 countries, competing across 19 events. Participating nations include Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo Democratic, Egypt, Mauritius, Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, and host Nigeria.
