Tag: 2024 Paris Paralympics

2024巴黎残奥会

Mariam Eniola Bolaji Makes History for Nigeria and Africa at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
In a groundbreaking achievement for both Nigeria and the African continent, Mariam Eniola Bolaji has etched her name in history as the first African athlete to secure a badminton medal at the Paralympic Games. The 18-year-old Nigerian star claimed the bronze medal in the women’s singles SL3 category at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, defeating Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyna in straight sets, 21-9, 21-9. This win not only marks Nigeria’s first medal at the Paris Paralympics but also solidifies Bolaji‘s place in the history of African badminton.
In a brief interview with BCA TV after her historic bronze medal win, Mariam Eniola Bolaji expressed her excitement, saying, “I am extremely happy with my result at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and I know it’s due to sheer determination and discipline. I dedicate this victory to my family, my federation, the BCA, and everyone who believed in me throughout my journey. I hope to maintain this momentum in my upcoming tournaments.”
Bolaji‘s path to this remarkable achievement is both inspiring and emotional. Her success comes just three years after the tragic passing of her coach, Bello Oyebanji, who died in a car accident as she was preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics. Despite the odds, Bolaji‘s resilience and determination have made her a symbol of hope for aspiring para-athletes across Africa.
The CEO of the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA), Mr. Jeff Shigoli, expressed immense pride in Bolaji‘s accomplishment, stating, “This is a historic moment for both Nigeria and Africa, and I commend Mariam for this incredible achievement. It’s a dream come true for us at the BCA, showing that the structures and programs we’ve put in place to support athletes are working. I’m confident this is just the beginning, and we’ll see more African athletes following in Mariam’s footsteps to achieve even greater success.”
This victory is more than just a personal accomplishment for Bolaji. It highlights the development of para-badminton in Africa and shows the continent’s increasing presence on the global stage. Her success is a testament to the talent and potential within African sports, particularly in areas that have been underrepresented.
The President of the Badminton Nigeria Federation (BNF), Mr. Francis Orbih, also shared his pride in Bolaji‘s achievement, stating, “I am extremely proud of Mariam and her success at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Her accomplishment motivates us at the Federation to keep pushing our athletes. Mariam and her coach worked tirelessly, and this victory is the result of years of practice and discipline. This medal is not just for Nigeria but for all of Africa, representing the hard work and dedication of our athletes.”
Dina Abouzeid Sariñena, Bolaji‘s coach and mentor, also reflected on her athlete’s success, saying, “It’s incredibly fulfilling to see players achieving their goals after all their hard work. A medal at Paris 2024 was the goal we set from the beginning, and I’m thrilled to see it come to fruition. We worked hard, and the preparation was challenging, but Mariam trusted me, and I’m incredibly proud of her. This is just the start, and she has a bright future ahead.”
As Africa celebrates this monumental win, Bolaji‘s victory will undoubtedly inspire a new generation of para-athletes across the continent. The BCA remains dedicated to supporting and nurturing talents like Mariam Eniola Bolaji, ensuring that African badminton continues to thrive on the global stage. This accomplishment is not just a personal triumph for Bolaji but a collective victory for African sports, paving the way for even greater achievements in the future.
September 19, 2024
STARS OF THE PARALYMPICS
As the Paralympics draw to a close, we highlight the athletes who left a lasting impact on Para badminton’s grandest stage.
Wheelchair (WH1)
Qu Zimo
In men’s Wheelchair (WH1), Qu Zimo successfully defended both his singles and doubles titles, further solidifying his status as a legend with five World Championship golds, including two from this year alone.
Thomas Wandschneider
The singles bronze was claimed by Thomas Wandschneider, whose performance became iconic at the Paralympics, especially given his age (nearly 61) in such a physically demanding event.
Sarina Satomi
Sarina Satomi couldn’t reclaim her women’s doubles gold, but she delivered in the singles. Despite an earlier loss to Yin Meng Lu in the group stage, she avenged it in the semifinals and went on to beat Sujirat Pookkham in the final.
Wheelchair (WH2)
Liu Yu Tong & Daiki Kajiwara
Liu Yu Tong and Daiki Kajiwara continued their domination in WH2. Liu improved on her Tokyo 2020 performance by clinching doubles gold alongside Yin Meng Lu, adding to her singles title. At just 20, she now boasts three Paralympic golds and six World Championships titles.
Kajiwara was unstoppable in men’s singles WH2, not dropping a single game throughout his campaign.
Yin Meng Lu & Liu Yu Tong
Chan Ho Yuen Daniel, having announced his retirement after the Paralympics, finished with a silver, ending his career on a high. His rival Kim Jung Jun barely held off young competitor Yu Sooyoung in a dramatic bronze medal playoff.
Short Stature (SH6)
Charles Noakes
Men’s singles SH6 has become fiercely competitive, but Charles Noakes stood out, winning all five matches in straight games, including a final that thrilled home fans.
Li Fengmei
Li Fengmei shone for China, taking home two golds in women’s singles SH6 and mixed doubles SH6. Her mixed doubles semifinal alongside Lin Naili against Subhan Subhan and Rina Marlina was a thrilling, hour-long match that went China’s way.
Miles Krajewski
Miles Krajewski, only 19, impressed in two categories. He narrowly missed the singles semifinals and, along with Jayci Simon, made history by winning silver in mixed doubles – the first-ever Paralympic or Olympic medal for the USA in badminton.
Standing Lower (SL3)
Nitesh Kumar
Despite Pramod Bhagat’s absence, Nitesh Kumar delivered an unexpected victory over Daniel Bethell, edging out the Brit in a nerve-wracking SL3 final.
Xiao Zuxian
In women’s SL3, Xiao Zuxian captured gold, defeating Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh. Yet, the emotional highlight came from bronze medalist Mariam Eniola Bolaji, whose inspiring journey included overcoming a difficult childhood and the loss of her mentor.
Standing Lower (SL4)
Lucas Mazur
Much like Viktor Axelsen’s dominance in the Olympics, Lucas Mazur faced little resistance in his SL4 campaign, cruising to gold with a decisive win over Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj. In women’s SL4, Cheng Hefang had a similarly comfortable title defense, defeating Leani Ratri Oktila.
Standing Upper (SU5)
Cheah Liek Hou
As expected, Cheah Liek Hou remained unchallenged in men’s SU5. His main rivals, Dheva Anrimusthi and Suryo Nugroho, couldn’t unsettle him. On the women’s side, Yang Qiuxia triumphed over Thulasimathi Murugesan with relative ease in the SU5 final.
September 11, 2024
Nithya Sre Sivan Wins Bronze at Paris Paralympics
Nithya Sre Sivan secured a bronze medal in the women’s singles SH6 category, marking a significant achievement for Indian para badminton. In her final match of the tournament, the 19-year-old comfortably defeated Indonesia’s Rina Marlina with a score of 21-14, 21-6, closing her debut appearance at the Games on a high note.
Nithya’s Journey
Nithya comes from Hosur in Tamil Nadu. Growing up, her favorite sport was cricket, but after watching the Rio Paralympics in 2016, she began taking an interest in badminton. Inspired by her idol, Lin Dan, she started reading more about the former World No. 1, sparking her passion for the sport.
It wasn’t until the 2020 lockdown, however, that Nithya was introduced to para-badminton. A colleague of her father, who was a state-level para-badminton player, helped her discover the sport. Motivated by her coach and with her father’s support, Nithya entered the Tamil Nadu Para-Badminton State Championship, where she showcased her talent and began her journey in para-badminton.
September 6, 2024
Yuka Chokyu’s Paralympic Journey at Paris 2024
For her debut match, Yuka Chokyu made her first appearance at the Paris Paralympic Games as a representative of Canada’s badminton team, in front of a packed arena of over five thousand people at the Porte de la Chapelle venue.
In her first match at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, Yuka Chokyu faced a formidable opponent, Hu Guang-Chiou from Taiwan. Despite her valiant efforts, Yuka was defeated in two sets, 21-12, 21-12.
Yuka remained positive after the match, stating: “I gave it my all, and I have no regrets. I’m enjoying the atmosphere, and it’s a great experience to be here.”
In her second match against Brazil’s Daniele Souza, Yuka put on an excellent performance, especially during a thrilling second set where she made an impressive comeback. However, her opponent managed to secure victory in the decisive third set. The final score: 16 – 21, 21 – 15, 7 – 21.
Yuka Chokyu concluded her journey at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after a tough match against Thailand’s Sujirat Pookkham. The final score: 3 – 21, 1 – 21. Despite the result, Yuka remained proud and reflected on her experience.
“She’s an excellent player, and she’s been at the top for so long. We’re friends off the court, and it was an honor to compete against her. Paris has been a wonderful experience, and I’m proud to represent Team Canada,” Yuka said after the match.
“I’m extremely proud of how Yuka played and carried herself on the court, representing Canada. She gave her best against some of the toughest competitors in the world. The energy from the sold-out crowd was incredible,” said coach Frank Gaudet.
September 5, 2024
Paris Paralympics: We ensure our athletes believe in their abilities and are not limited by their disabilities
We returned home with two silver medals from the Paralympics in badminton. This is an incredible achievement. But more importantly, we are proud of the performances of our four players who, throughout a week of intense competition, represented the sport of badminton brilliantly and will inspire many more to take part in the sport.
“I was left speechless while cheering for our athletes in Paris,” explained Sue Storey, CEO of Badminton England. “It was an incredibly joyful event.
“We work with our athletes to help them reach their peak performance. The entire culture of Badminton England is about ensuring athletes believe in their abilities and are not limited by disability.
“Dan was simply amazing. He performed so well. He was just one step away from the gold medal, but we are proud of his silver medal win on Monday.
“Then there’s Christen—he was truly a crowd favorite! Honestly, I think he dived more times during the Paralympics than Tom Daley did! He was flying everywhere, enjoying every second, and we are so proud of their achievements.
“Rachel didn’t make it to Tokyo with this achievement, but she came to Paris and stepped onto the court as the first female badminton player at the Paralympics. She made everyone proud—we look forward to seeing her progress and what she will achieve in Los Angeles in four years.
“Then there’s Jack—like Rachel, he competed in two events. He continues to be a great ambassador for the sport. I know that when he returns home, he will go into the community
Sue also believes that the success in Paris will inspire more people across the country to get involved in our sport
“This is exactly what we hoped for. We aimed for two medals at the Paralympics, and we achieved
“All the players worked incredibly hard, and head coach Richard Morris has fostered such a great culture—a truly amazing culture that inspires everyone to get involved in para-badminton.
“Of course, none of this would be possible without the tremendous support of the National Lottery. Every penny that goes into the lottery helps sport in this country—so thank you to the National Lottery for helping us achieve what we did today.
“Badminton is an amazing sport. No matter your age, what level you want to achieve, or whether you have a disability, you can take part in this sport. These players have proven just how inspiring they can be when competing at the highest level on the biggest stage.
“What I want to say to everyone who watched our Olympic and Paralympic games this summer is… pick up a racket and play badminton! It’s the most joyful thing.
“There are so many opportunities to get involved in the sport. We would love to see more people participate in para-badminton. Last week’s competition showed what we can achieve—our athletes set an example in Paris, inspiring more people to get involved in the sport.”
September 5, 2024
Who is Nitesh Kumar, the Paris Paralympic badminton gold medalist?
Nitesh Kumar, a para-badminton player from Charkhi Dadri, Haryana, secured India’s second gold medal at the Paris Paralympics on Monday by defeating British player Daniel Bethell in the SL3 category final. SL3 players like Nitesh have more severe lower limb impairments, requiring them to compete on a half-width court.
At 29, Nitesh overcame a permanent leg injury sustained in a 2009 accident to dominate Bethell in the final, showcasing his prowess.
As an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi, Nitesh ensured that India continued to secure a medal in the SL3 category, following in the footsteps of Pramod Bhagat, who won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics three years ago.
Nitesh’s Journey
Nitesh’s childhood passion was football. However, a tragic accident in 2009 in Vizag shattered his dreams, leaving him bedridden for months with a permanent leg injury. Despite this setback, Nitesh’s love for sports remained unwavering.
During his studies at IIT Mandi, Nitesh discovered a new passion for badminton. He honed his skills on the court, often challenging able-bodied players.
In 2016, Nitesh seized the opportunity to represent Haryana at the National Para-Badminton Championship in Faridabad. He made an impressive debut, winning a bronze medal and showcasing his immense potential. The following year, he continued his success, securing a silver medal in singles and a bronze in doubles at the National Championships.
Nitesh’s crowning moment came in 2020 when he defeated Tokyo Paralympic medalists Pramod Bhagat and Manoj Sarkar to claim the gold medal at the National Championships. His dominance in domestic competitions cemented his status as one of India’s top para-badminton players.
Beyond national honors, Nitesh has also excelled on the international stage, winning medals in various tournaments. Now, he has claimed a medal in his Paralympic debut.
September 4, 2024
Combs wins silver medal at Paris Paralympics
Krysten Coombs was delighted to upgrade his men’s singles bronze to a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Badminton Championships.
The 33-year-old athlete lost 21-19, 21-13 to local favorite and close friend Charles Noakes in the SH6 men’s singles final.
Accompanied by a raucous French crowd and some British supporters, Coombs did his best to enjoy the moment, and Noakes acknowledged his opponent’s performance in the post-match celebrations.
“It’s amazing,” said the Totnes native. “It’s obviously not the result I wanted, but to see so many people in the crowd was fantastic.”
“We don’t get this kind of atmosphere at other para-badminton championships, so to experience this was incredible. As the match was nearing its end, I had to give it my all.”
“This is what dreams are made of. Hard work, dedication, years of sacrifice, not being able to do things with friends and family—having them here is the best part.”
“Having the support of ParalympicsGB and everyone behind me, along with many people working behind the scenes, such as UK Sport and the National Lottery, enabled me to be here and feel this atmosphere.”
“If people didn’t buy lottery tickets back home, we wouldn’t have this experience.”
Coombs, who won bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics, built up a considerable lead early in the first game, but spurred on by the home crowd, Noakes didn’t stay silent for long.
After a brief medical timeout for Coombs, he leveled the score at 11-11 and shortly after took the lead for the first time.
The Frenchman led by three points, but Coombs quickly responded, keeping the score close until Noakes secured three game points.
Coombs saved two but couldn’t stop Noakes from clinching the third, shifting the momentum in his favor.
From that point, the Frenchman comfortably took the second game, with Coombs playing attacking badminton to try and halt his opponent’s progress, but it was only temporary.
“I came here to play my best badminton and see what would happen. My dream was to win that gold medal, but it wasn’t to be,” he added.
“The momentum shifted, and he came out on top—that’s badminton, that’s how it goes. I struggled a bit in the second game, but I gave it my all.”
“We’re great friends on and off the court, and we socialize as much as we can. That’s what I love about para-badminton—making lots of friends here.”
“To share this moment with him was incredible.”
September 4, 2024
Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon won silver at the 2024 Paris Paralympics
Despite today’s loss, Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon displayed the spirit of hope and perseverance at the 2024 Paralympics. Their match against the experienced Lin NaiLi and Li FengMei showcased their resilience and skill. After trailing 9-16 in the first set, they mounted a comeback, closing the gap but ultimately falling 14-21. The second set was fiercely contested, with the Chinese team eventually winning 21-12. However, their performance demonstrated their dedication and potential.
In an interview, Miles and Jayci expressed deep pride and gratitude. They acknowledged the challenges but were encouraged by their unexpected journey to the finals. “Even though we didn’t win the gold, reaching this stage is still incredible,” said Jayci. They emphasized that the experience of competing against seasoned opponents would serve as a valuable lesson and stepping stone for their future.
Their achievement is significant, especially as the first American Para-Badminton team to win a medal in the Pan-American region. This milestone could inspire greater interest and support for badminton among both disabled and able-bodied athletes in the United States. Their journey has also opened doors for more players in wheelchair and short-stature categories.
Looking ahead, they remain focused on growth. For now, they are enjoying the joy of their success, planning to celebrate, and then return to their college lives.
September 3, 2024
Paralympic Champion Pramod Bhagat Banned for 18 Months, to Miss 2024 Paris Paralympics
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) has announced that Pramod Bhagat, India’s gold medalist from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, has been suspended for 18 months due to a violation of anti-doping regulations.
In an official statement, the BWF stated: “Tokyo 2020 Paralympic champion Pramod Bhagat has been banned for 18 months and will miss the 2024 Paris Paralympics.”
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that Bhagat failed to provide his whereabouts information on three occasions within a 12-month period.

The statement further read: “On March 1, 2024, the Anti-Doping Division of CAS found Bhagat in violation of the BWF Anti-Doping Regulations, as he failed to provide his whereabouts information on three occasions within a 12-month period.”
Despite Bhagat’s appeal, the Appeals Division of CAS upheld the original decision, confirming the ban. Bhagat, an SL3 category athlete, will therefore miss the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
On July 29, 2024, the CAS Appeals Division rejected Bhagat’s appeal and confirmed the March 1, 2024, decision of the CAS Anti-Doping Division.
“His suspension is now in effect.”
Earlier this year, Bhagat successfully defended his men’s singles SL3 title at the 2024 Para-Badminton World Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, after a hard-fought final against England’s Daniel Bethell.
The match lasted an hour and forty minutes, with the 35-year-old Bhagat overcoming his rival to win 14-21, 21-15, 21-15.
This victory marks Bhagat’s fourth world championship singles title, having previously won the same medal in 2015, 2019, and 2022. He also claimed a men’s doubles gold medal at the 2013 World Championships.
August 13, 2024