Nigeria’s Eniola Bolaji returned to the top of the podium on Sunday after winning the women’s singles SL3 title at the 2026 Peru Para Badminton International in Lima.
The world No. 2 defeated Brazil’s Kauana Beckenkamp 21-12, 21-12 in the final to complete a dominant tournament in which she did not drop a game.
Bolaji, who won bronze at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games and silver at this year’s Para Badminton World Championships, was rarely troubled throughout the competition. Her Paris medal made her the first African athlete to win a badminton medal at either the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
She began her campaign with a 21-7, 21-6 victory over Brazil’s Maria Da Silva Abinaecia before overwhelming Croatia’s Gabriela Montero 21-2, 21-1 in her next match.
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The multiple African champion maintained that form in the semi-finals, beating Mexico’s Maria Rojas Peres 21-6, 21-9 before overcoming Beckenkamp by identical 21-12 scores in the final.
The Peru tournament, staged from August 4 to 9, is classified by the Badminton World Federation as a Level 2 Para Badminton International.
Bolaji responds after Dublin silver
The triumph also marked a return to winning ways for Bolaji following her silver medal at the British & Irish Para Badminton International in Dublin in June.
She reached the final there without dropping a game but was beaten 21-18, 23-21 by Japan’s Shino Kawai, who had also defeated her in the final of the 2026 Para Badminton World Championships in Bahrain in February.
Bolaji had risen to world No. 1 following her World Championship silver before subsequently dropping to No. 2.
Badminton Federation of Nigeria president Francis Orbih praised the Nigerian for responding strongly in Peru.
“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,” Orbih said.
He said Bolaji’s international programme was being structured around the long-term objective of competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.
“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,” he said.
Orbih also acknowledged the support of GIG Logistics, Yonex and the National Sports Commission towards Bolaji’s development.
“We appreciate the immense contributions of GIG Logistics, Yonex and the National Sports Commission to Eniola’s progression. Their support has been invaluable to her development and success,” he said.
Bolaji’s victory adds another international title to a career that has already included multiple African championships, a historic Paralympic bronze and her first World Championship medal earlier this year.
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