One of the nicest stories of the year came out of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games – an 18-year-old Nigerian made history by becoming the first shuttler from her country to medal at the Olympics or Paralympics.

The medal was a culmination of an unusual story that started with Mariam Eniola Bolaji fighting through a difficult childhood, being spotted by a Spanish coach, and then training in Spain for the Paralympics.

In October 2023, coach Dina Abouzeid Sariñena was in Egypt for a Level 2 Para badminton workshop, which included a training camp and a classification workshop. The Spaniard has been involved with the sport as a player, coach and tournament director of the Spanish Para Badminton International. A chance encounter with Bolaji in Egypt would change both their lives.

Sariñena recalled: “I got the chance to have one-to-ones with the players, and Bolaji had told me she wasn’t playing international events. I thought, ‘why not?’ She’s very good, I was just amazed why she wasn’t competing. I told her, ‘Mariam, you’re very good’. And she said, ‘take me to Spain’.”

Bolaji’s story was one of struggle. Despite her talent, she lacked financial support.

“Mariam told me, ‘I don’t have money to study. I wake up, I take the bus, I go to my badminton club. I practice in the morning and wait for the evening session to practice with children after school’. She can’t go home as it’s hours away and she will need to spend double on transport while she lives with her grandmother.”

Moved by Bolaji’s determination, Sariñena decided to act, calling Badminton Confederation of Africa, who funded the tickets, while she helped secure a visa.

Sariñena provided Bolaji with three months of intensive training, along with accommodation and meals at her home in Vitoria.

“When she arrived, I told her I’m not rich. I had three pairs of Yonex shoes. I gave her two.”

Bolaji’s training at Just Badminton Vitoria began in January. The dedicated coaching proved transformative as Bolaji secured a SL3 women’s singles bronze at the Paralympics after defeating Oksana Kozyna 21-9 21-9, marking a first-ever medal in badminton for both Nigeria and Africa.

“I saw something very special in her. She has a lot of talent, she’s hard-working and I knew she could medal in Paris,” Sariñena added.

Bolaji’s victory was also deeply personal. She dedicated her medal to her late coach, Bello Rafiu Oyebanji, who had passed away in a motor accident three years ago.

“I could commit myself to training in the hopes I could win a medal for my previous coach Bello. This is just the start. I intend to go for gold in LA28,” Bolaji said confidently.

Sariñena couldn’t hide her pride.

“She’s a fighter, she’s my hero, she’s my superstar and I’m so happy. She’s from Nigeria, but for us, she’s Spanish.”