Earlier in the day, Coombs came through a thrilling quarter-final tussle with Thailand’s Natthapong Meechai at the La Chapelle Arena. This match was a true test of resilience, stretching to the very limit as Coombs fought back to claim victory with scores of 21-15, 18-21, and 21-11. The atmosphere was electric, fuelled by a vocal contingent of supporters who elevated the intensity of the competition.

Bethell’s Pursuit of Paralympic Gold

In the SL3 men’s singles, Harry Bethell is already assured of at least a silver medal, yet he has his eyes firmly set on gold. Having succumbed to India’s Pramod Bhagat in the Tokyo final, Bethell is determined to go one better this time around. His confidence surged after a commanding semi-final victory on Sunday, where he overpowered Thailand’s Mongkhon Bunsun with scores of 21-7 and 21-9.

The upcoming final will see Bethell face his teammate, Kumar Nitesh, the world’s top-ranked player. In this highly anticipated showdown, the clash of the number one and two seeds promises to be a spectacle. Bethell’s enthusiasm is palpable as he reflects on the opportunity to compete in a Paralympic final, stating, “It’s obviously every athlete’s dream to be playing in a Paralympic final, but the main thing is that I’m not getting complacent.”

“I haven’t come here just to be in a Paralympic final; I did that in Tokyo and I got a silver medal. I’m here to win that gold medal. It’s just important now to keep my feet on the ground, do what I need to do, go back, recover, and get ready for the match,” he emphasised. His determination echoes the spirit of so many Paralympic athletes who battle against the odds to achieve greatness.

The atmosphere in La Chapelle Arena has been nothing short of incredible. Bethell mentioned the strong support from the Great Britain contingent, with friends, family, and fans creating a vibrant environment. “It was an amazing crowd, and I just loved being out there,” he said, his excitement evident.

Unmatched Form and Culinary Delights

Bethell has been in imperious form throughout the tournament, not dropping a single set since commencing his campaign last Thursday, and astonishingly, he has conceded just 46 points across four matches. Such dominance in the SL3 category speaks volumes about his preparation and mindset. Yet, it’s not only his on-court performance that has left an impression; Bethell has also been relishing the culinary delights of France.

“The village is fantastic; there are all the little extra features, the Michelin star chef, the bakery,” Bethell shared with enthusiasm. “I’ve been absolutely loving the bread and everything like that. It’s been an amazing experience as well as being on court.” This blend of high-stakes competition and memorable experiences is what makes the Paralympic Games so special.

Choong’s Journey Comes to an End

In a contrasting turn of events, Rachel Choong exited the SH6 women’s singles during her Paralympic debut. Facing seasoned Indonesian competitor Rina Marlina, Choong found herself outmatched, falling with scores of 21-7 and 21-11. While this result is undoubtedly disappointing, Choong’s journey to the Paralympics represents a significant achievement in its own right.

Making her debut on this prestigious stage is a testament to her hard work and dedication. Each athlete’s journey to the Paralympics is unique, filled with challenges and milestones. While not every story results in a medal, they all contribute to the rich tapestry of inspiration that the Games embody. The spirit of perseverance displayed by athletes like Choong resonates with many, exemplifying that every competition offers valuable lessons and experiences.

The Stage Awaits

As the competition progresses, the anticipation builds for the finals, where hearts will race, and dreams will hang in the balance. For athletes like Bethell and Coombs, the path to victory is fraught with emotion, but it is this very passion that fuels their performances. Each match is not just a contest of skill; it’s a narrative woven with hopes, sacrifices, and triumphs over adversity.

The story of the Paralympics is one of resilience and inspiration. Athletes band together, drawing strength from one another and from the legacy of those who have come before them. The final matches in La Chapelle Arena are set to showcase not only outstanding athleticism but also the transformative power of sport. Such moments remind us all of the extraordinary capabilities of the human spirit, shining brightly on a global stage.

Krysten Coombs was delighted to upgrade his men’s singles bronze to silver in the Para badminton at Paris 2024.

The 33-year-old faced off against home favourite and close friend Charles Noakes in the SH6 men’s singles final, ultimately losing 21-19, 21-13. Battling in front of a raucous French crowd, Coombs managed to relish the atmosphere, while Noakes enjoyed the thrill of the victory, acknowledging his opponent’s skill during the jubilant post-match celebrations.

“It was amazing,” said the Totnes native. “It obviously wasn’t the result I’d have wanted, but to be out there with that crowd was incredible. We don’t have that in other para badminton tournaments, so to experience that was amazing. Near the end, I had to take it all in.”

Coombs described the moment as “the dream,” reflecting on the rigorous journey that brought him to this point. “The hard work, the dedication, the years of sacrifices, not being able to do things with friends and family — to have them here tops it off,” he added. “To have the support of ParalympicsGB and everyone at home, there are a lot of people behind the scenes who push it through, from UK Sport and The National Lottery which allows me to be here and be in this atmosphere. If people didn’t do the Lottery at home, we wouldn’t have this experience.”

Defiant Spirit Amidst Tough Competition

Having previously clinched bronze in Tokyo, Coombs started strong, building a decent lead in the opening exchanges of the first game. However, buoyed by the home crowd, Noakes quickly levelled the match at 11-11 after Coombs took a brief medical timeout. Shortly after, Noakes surged ahead, securing a three-point gap and showcasing the tenacity that made him a formidable rival.

Coombs fought back valiantly, matching Noakes point for point, but the shift in momentum was palpable when the Frenchman brought up three game points. Although Coombs saved two, he was unable to prevent the third from being converted, swinging the advantage decisively towards Noakes.

As the second game unfolded, Noakes maintained a comfortable lead, while Coombs seemed to tap into his attacking instincts, momentarily stalling the Frenchman’s celebratory tsunami. “I came out to play my best badminton and see what happened. The dream was to win gold, but it wasn’t to be,” Coombs stated. “There was a momentum swing; he got that little edge and that’s badminton. I struggled a little bit to come back out in the second set, but I gave it my all.”

Affirming the abiding friendships within the sport, Coombs commented, “We are good friends on and off the court; we try to socialise as much as we can. That’s what I love about para badminton — there are so many friendships. To share this moment with him was just incredible.”

A Bitter Sweet Silver for Dan Bethell

Joining Coombs on the podium was compatriot Dan Bethell, who also secured a silver medal, matching his performance from the Tokyo Games. In an exhilarating 80-minute clash, Bethell succumbed to India’s Kumar Nitesh, 21-14, 18-21, 23-21, marking the Indian’s first victory in ten attempts against the Brit.

Bethell’s quest for gold in Paris was a known ambition, especially following his disappointment at the last Paralympics when he missed out on the top honour to Pramod Bhagat. The Bath native was clear about his intentions; striking gold had become an all-consuming aspiration. However, the reality of claiming silver again was a heavy blow.

“It feels devastating,” Bethell admitted. “I came here for that gold. I got the silver in Tokyo, and it was my ambition from the start to go one better, but I just couldn’t get it over the line today. I never like losing, particularly in a Paralympics when I’ve already gone through losing a Paralympic final.”

In a match that captivated both spectators and players alike, Bethell and Nitesh engaged in long, intense rallies, with a breathtaking exchange of 122 shots highlighting the physical demand of high-level badminton. Bethell started strong, leading 7-5, but Nitesh expertly seized control, pulling ahead to take the first set 21-14. Bethell struggled to break the rhythm, accruing a few unforced errors that played into Nitesh’s hands.

Yet, displaying the fighting spirit typical of elite athletes, Bethell refused to go down without a struggle. A late surge in the second set saw him overcome a four-point deficit, allowing him to take the set and regain momentum. “I have to thank my family for giving me the push I needed,” he remarked, a testament to the power of support both on and off the field.

As both athletes took their places on the podium, the echoes of the crowd affirmed that they were not just representatives of their country but also champions in their right. Krysten Coombs and Dan Bethell may have settled for silver, yet their performances resonated deeply, embodying the spirit of the Paralympics that celebrates perseverance, camaraderie, and the pursuit of greatness against all odds.

By Sean-Paul Doran, , London 2012

GREAT Britain’s Susan Egelstaff is hoping to enjoy the perks of being an Olympic athlete as her London 2012 dream ended against Japan’s Sayaka Sato.

KNOCKED OUT: Susan Egelstaff loses to Japan’s Sayaka Sato but remains upbeat with making it to home Olympics

Egelstaff fell to a 19-21, 21-16, 21-12 defeat against world No. 12 Sato in her last group game as she exited the competition despite winning her first tie against Slovenia’s Maja Tvrdy on Saturday.

The double Commonwealth Games bronze medallist wasn’t expecting to progress from a tough group and is planning to make the most of her status as a home Olympian.

“Obviously on paper she was expected to beat me. I was pleased with how I played. The support I was getting pushed me on to play even better,” she said.

“I’m pleased I did well and now I can enjoy the rest of the Olympics. I’ll not get another again so I want to make the best of it.

“I will have a little rest and will do some celeb spotting. I saw Roger Federer in the village the other day – that’s the best one so far.”

The Scot dispatched Tvrdy (21-15, 21-10) in front of Prince Charles at Wembley Arena on Saturday to make the tie against Sato the group decider.

After a strong start, Egelstaff took the first game 21-19, leading the interval 11-7 and holding off a late comeback from her Japanese opponent.

But Sato produced a markedly-improved performance in the second game to draw level and secure her place in the last 16, with a convincing win in the last face-off.

And while she is still considering her next move after the Games, 29-year-old Egelstaff is doubtful of her chances of making Rio 2016.

“For the last four years the only thing I’ve been thinking about is qualifying for the Olympic Games. It’ll be nice to have a bit of a rest,” she added.

“I’m a little too old for that (qualifying for Rio 2016). I’m really happy the one Olympics I’ll play at is here. I’ve never done anything like this before.

“I’m really pleased I played well but of course I’m disappointed to lose.”

CHRIS Adcock and Imogen Bankier slumped to a disappointing defeat as their London 2012 Olympic mixed doubles campaign got off to a stuttering start.

THREE SET DEFEAT: Chris Adcock and Imogen Bankier started brightly but tailed off as the Russian pair snatched a win in the mixed doubles

Last year’s World silver medallists started well against Russia’s Alexandr Nikolaenko and Valeri Sorokina, but after winning the first set they slumped to a 14-21, 21-9, 21-18 defeat in just over an hour.

It puts the pressure on the British pair ahead of two more group matches at Wembley Arena – including a clash with world champions and top seeds Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei.

On paper the world number ten pair should have beaten the Russians, who are five places below them on the world rankings.

But they allowed concentration to slip in the second set and their rivals ruthlessly took advantage.

It means they must now beat Germany’s Michael Fuchs and Birgit Michels, the world number 22 pair, on Sunday.

Their final game is a repeat of last year’s world final although they’ve won twice against their Chinese rivals in the last 12 months and will still believe progressing to the quarter-finals, only the top two in each four strong group advance, is in their hands.

“The first set was really good and then it all changed,” admitted Adcock.

“We didn’t get the advantage that we wanted so it led to them getting it instead.

“We got a great start,wWe put the pressure on but didn’t keep it up. The final game turned into a bit of a scrap and unfortunately we were on the losing end of it.

“It’s a round robin so we know we’ve got two games we can definitely win.”

Bankier insisted she was still confident about progressing to the knockout stages, despite the task becoming much harder.

“We’re extremely disappointed but we’ve just got to get over it,” she said

“We’ve still got a chance of getting through. We know we can play better than that so we need to regroup and get through.” 

“We’ll take a few hours, recover, start looking at the video and work out a plan with the coaches, then do it all again tomorrow.”