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Mariam Bolaji's impressive display at the ongoing Paralympic games in Paris has raised expectations back home in Nigeria.
Nigeria badminton player Mariam Bolaji is poised to make a podium finish at the ongoing Paralympic Games in Paris, as her impressive performance in the women's singles SL3 event has garnered attention and raised expectations.
Francis Orbih, the president of the Nigeria Badminton Federation, expressed optimism about Bolaji's prospects.
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"The two players did very well, but Nnanna couldn't make it to the next stage," Orbih said, referring to Chigozie Jeremiah Nnanna's narrow defeat.
"But Bolaji advanced after beating her opponent 2-0, and I trust her to go far in the competition and probably make a podium finish," he continued.
Meanwhile, Bolaji is determined to win a medal in honour of her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who tragically passed away in a motor accident three years ago.
"This is amazing; it's something I've dreamed of. I was training for Tokyo 2020 in mixed doubles, but I lost my coach. So, it is an honour for me to be here," Bolaji shared.
Training with a club in Spain since November last year has been instrumental in Bolaji's development, "In Nigeria, I have to take a cab from my house to the stadium, but in Spain, I just have to walk two minutes to the stadium I play with professional players at the club, so that has helped me," Bolaji explained.
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09:45 - 31.08.2024
Paris 2024: Nigerian Para-Badminton players advance to quarterfinals
Team Nigeria will be aiming to surpass the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics record, where they won 10 medals.
Despite being a favourite in the competition, Bolaji remains grounded and focused. "I'm fully prepared, so the opening match was fine by me. I'm very confident because everyone in my category is afraid of me," she said
Bolaji has won six of her last seven tournaments, including the Uganda PB International, a triple crown at the Africa Championships, and a title in Dubai.
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This year, she continued her winning streak with a triple crown at the Egypt PB International.
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