Bethell and Coombs Secure Badminton Silver in Thrilling Final

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.

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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.

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“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.

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