Nigeria’s para badminton sensation, Eniola Bolaji, was forced to withdraw from the POLYTRON Indonesia Para Badminton International 2025 final in Solo, Indonesia, on Sunday, handing victory to world number one, Syakuroh Ikhtiar.
The world number two was trailing 20–16 in the first set when she retired, marking her sixth final appearance of the year. Bolaji later revealed that her withdrawal was due to an injury.
“Due to some unforeseen circumstances, I had to retire from the final match after giving it my all. It wasn’t an easy decision, but sometimes our bodies remind us that we’re only human,” Bolaji shared in a post on X.
She thanked fans for their support, adding that she hopes for a quick recovery and looks forward to returning “stronger, better, and more focused.”
The 20-year-old trailblazer made history as the first African to win a badminton medal at the Olympics or Paralympics, clinching bronze at the Paris 2024 Games after defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna in straight sets.
In 2025, Bolaji has already claimed multiple gold medals — including titles at the Spanish Para Badminton International II in Vitoria, the Spanish Para Badminton International in Toledo, the British and Irish Para Badminton International in Cardiff, and the All-Africa Para Badminton Championships in Abia State.
Her dominance in the Women’s Singles SL3 category also earned her the 2024 Africa Women in Badminton Award, celebrating her exceptional achievements and inspiring journey in the sport.
About the Author
