Nigeria’s Gift Ijeoma Chukwuemeka has written another golden chapter in African para badminton, defeating Egypt’s Shaimaa Samy Abdellatif, the continent’s top ranked player, to win gold in the finals of the Women’s WH2 category of the Africa Para Badminton Championships 2025.
The victory came barely a week after Gift stunned the same opponent at the First Abia Para Badminton International, confirming her dominance and cementing Nigeria’s rising profile in the sport.
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The final was a contest of power, precision and sheer determination. Gift lost the opening game to a sharp and confident Abdellatif but refused to back down. With remarkable composure, she adjusted her play, mixing defensive resilience with intelligent shot placement to claw her way back into the match.
Wheelchair bound but fiercely agile, Gift displayed extraordinary control and mental strength as she forced a third game, thrilling the home crowd with every rally. The tension peaked as both players exchanged long rallies, but Gift’s tactical brilliance and faith saw her through.
When the final shuttle fell on Abdellatif’s side, the arena erupted. Smiling through tears, Gift raised her hands in praise as the Nigerian supporters chanted her name.
“This victory is for Nigeria and for everyone who believes that determination can overcome any limitation,” she said after the match.
Her triumph not only secured gold but also reaffirmed Nigeria’s supremacy in African para badminton, turning Umuahia into the new capital of courage and excellence.
