Badminton
BADMINTON OLYMPIC CHAMPION KNOCKED OUT AS TOKYO 2020 TEST EVENT BEGINS
BY DAN PALMER
Reigning Olympic champion Chen Long was knocked out in round one of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Japan Open, which this year is doubling as a Tokyo 2020 test event.
The Chinese fifth seed was beaten by Kanta Tsuneyama of the host nation who triumphed 21-14, 21-17 in front of his home fans.
All of the matches at the event, a Super 750 competition on the BWF World Tour, are taking place at the Musashino Forest Sports Plaza venue which will host next year’s Olympic tournament.
There was more joy for Japan in the men’s draw as reigning world champion and world number one Kento Momota also booked his place in round two.
The top seed, who will be a huge home hope for gold at Tokyo 2020, knocked out Denmark’s Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 21-17, 22-20.
Momota, who became the first home winner of the men’s event last year, was forced to miss the Rio 2016 Olympics as he was serving a ban for illegal gambling.
With second seed Shi Yuqi of China and third seed Viktor Axelsen of Denmark both withdrawing from the tournament through injury, Chinese Taipei’s fourth seed Chou Tien-chen could be Momota’s nearest challenger.
Chou won the Indonesia Open, a Super 1000 event, on Sunday (July 21) and will begin his tournament tomorrow in the bottom half of the draw.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia was among other winners today with the seventh seed beating Lu Guangzu of China 22-20, 21-16.
In the women’s draw Chinese Taipei’s top seed and world number one Tai Tzu-ying beat American Zhang Beiwen 21-17, 21-19 to progress.
Japan’s third seed Nozomi Okuhara, the 2017 world champion, also advanced as she beat compatriot Saena Kawakami 21-9, 21-17.
Thailand’s 2013 world champion Ratchanok Intanon, the seventh seed, was knocked out as Kim Ga-eun of South Korea claimed a 21-15, 21-13 win.
Second seed Chen Yufei of China and Japan’s fourth seed Akane Yamaguchi, the champion in Indonesia, are among the players who will begin their tournaments in the lower half of the draw tomorrow.
Spain’s reigning Olympic and world champion Carolina Marin has won the last two Japan Opens but is not competing after rupturing her cruciate ligament in January.
All of the Olympic test events are being held under the “Ready Steady Tokyo” banner with competitions in weightlifting, archery, surfing and road cycling having taken place so far.
The badminton will conclude on Sunday (July 28) with finals across the singles and doubles events.
-insidethegames
For the second time, a Nigerian has been named the recipient of the Africa Women in Badminton Award (AWIBA), as Paralympic bronze medallist Eniola Bolaji is the 2024 winner.
Before then, another Nigerian, Obiageli Solaja, won the 2019 edition, making the country the first to win twice and underlining the growth of badminton in the country.
The award is in recognition of outstanding achievements in badminton. For Bolaji, it is for her outstanding achievements and inspiring journey in para-badminton
The prestigious award was presented during the Badminton Confederation Africa (BCA) Annual General Meeting held on Thursday in China.
Receiving the award on her behalf, President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, described the recognition as timely and well-deserved.
He commended Bolaji’s dedication and trailblazing accomplishments, noting her impact on the growth of para-badminton in Africa.
“I am extremely proud of Eniola Bolaji. This award reflects the BCA’s recognition of her remarkable progress,” Orbih said.
“As the first African to win a medal in badminton or para-badminton at the Olympics or Paralympics, I believe she is only just beginning to make her mark on the global stage.
“This award will not only motivate Eniola but also inspire a new generation of Nigerian and African para-badminton players. It shows that their efforts are being noticed and celebrated.”
Orbih also extended his appreciation to the new leadership of the National Sports Commission, led by Shehu Dikko, for the way they have continuously demonstrated that there is a breath of fresh air in sports in Nigeria.
Looking ahead, Orbih highlighted Nigeria’s readiness to host two international para-badminton championships in Abia State this September/October.
“We are looking forward to delivering world-class events. This is an exciting moment for Nigerian badminton, and we intend to set a new benchmark,” he added.
Previous AWIBA Winners:
• 2018 – Gretha Prinsloo (South Africa)
• 2019 – Obiageli Solaja (Nigeria)
• 2020 – Hadia Hosny (Egypt)
• 2021 – Lynn Du Preez (Namibia)
• 2022 – Awatef Ghalloussi (Tunisia)
• 2023 – Harriet Semugabi (Uganda)
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Francis Orbih, president of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, BFN, has remarked that he was very excited at the appointment of Musa Kida as the chairman of Nigeria’s state-owned oil company,.
In a release, the BFN heartily congratulated Kida, who also heads the Nigeria Basketball Federation, the NBBF.
“This appointment is a testament to your exemplary leadership, dedication, and vast experience in both the corporate and sports sectors”, Orbih remarked in a letter to Kida.
” Your commitment to excellence has been evident in your contributions to Nigerian basketball, and we have no doubt that you will bring the same level of passion, integrity, and vision to this critical national assignment.
“As you take on this new role, the Badminton Federation of Nigeria wishes you great success in steering NNPCL towards greater achievements for the benefit of our nation. We look forward to continued collaboration in the advancement of sports and national development. Once again, congratulations!”
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World number 2 player in Para badminton, Eniola Bolaji has solidified her dominance in para-badminton SL3 by winning her second gold medal in two weeks.
This time, she set an African record as the Paralympic bronze medallist triumphed over Turkey’s Halime Yildiz 2-0 (21-7, 21-10) in the women’s final at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2025 in Toledo, Spain, on Sunday.
She began her campaign by defeating India’s Sanjana Kumari 2-0 (21-15, 21-8) in the second round, followed by a 2-0 (21-9, 21-12) win over Turkey’s Halime Yildiz in the third round.
The multiple-time African champion then dispatched Ukraine’s Oksana Kozyba 2-0 (21-16, 21-4) in the semifinal.
An elated President of the Badminton Federation of Nigeria, Francis Orbih praised Eniola Bolaji’s resilience and continued record-breaking achievements in para-badminton.
He highlighted her status as the only African player to win 12 gold medals in all internationals played.
Orbih said, “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Eniola Bolaji on her incredible achievement of winning her 12th gold medal in as many international tournaments.
“This remarkable feat is a testament to her consistency, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence.”
He continued, “Bolaji has not only made Nigeria proud but has also firmly stamped her authority in the world of para-badminton. Her journey continues to inspire many, and we at the Badminton Federation of Nigeria remain committed to supporting her as she reaches even greater heights.”
The Nigeria badminton supremo also expressed excitement about the upcoming All African Para Badminton/Abia international Para badminton Championships this year, which will provide an opportunity to showcase the country’s rich badminton culture. We thank Abia state government for accepting to host these two historic events.
He said, “It gives me joy that the giants of Africa in Para badminton will be hosting an international championship and the African championship in Nigeria. It will give us an avenue to further expose other potential champions to the world.”
Recall that Eniola Bolaji won a gold medal at the 2025 Spanish Para-Badminton International II in Vitoria last week.
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