Thai Para: It’s Looking Up for Krajewski

“That meant a lot,” said American Miles Krajewski after his 21-17 15-21 21-9 win over England’s Krysten Coombs in SH6 men’s singles at the Thailand Para Badminton International 2023 in Pattaya.

Krajewski has been playing badminton since 2013 but took a year off from the sport after he failed to qualify for Tokyo 2020. His time away seems to have made him not only physically stronger but more mature as well.

“Krysten is a smart player. I guess that’s what I’ve taken from watching him the last few years. I’m smarter too now,” he added.

Having topped Group D, Krajewski gets a bye into the quarterfinals while Coombs plays Indonesia’s Subhan Subhan tomorrow.

Just not to be for Coombs.

Coombs said: “Just wasn’t my day. I struggled and tried not to get stuck on the points.

“Miles is playing well. I remember him training with us in England a few years ago when he was just starting out. He’s come a long way since.

“He’s young but I shouldn’t let age affect my game. I’ve had a great start to the year, picked up some good results and to qualify for another Paralympics would be amazing. I just need to keep the end in sight and remind myself of Tokyo.”

The inclusion of SL3-SU5 mixed doubles at Paris 2024 has led to the emergence of new players and pairings.

“Many are new and unseeded because some of the older players have new partners. I’m looking forward to playing them all at some point,” said Japan’s Daisuke Fujihara after the 21-10 21-8 win over Anubhav Sagar Tewatia (India) and Rosa Efomo De Marco (Italy).

“My partner (Akiko Sugino) is the stronger personality but I don’t always understand the female mind, so as long as we know what we want to do on court, that’s good. No negative thoughts and we take one match at a time.”

Indonesia’s Fredy Setiawan and Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko topped their SL3-SU5 mixed doubles group after defeating Yuki Roberto Rodrigues/Adriane Spinetti Avila 21-14 21-6.

“It’s hard work because we all play three matches a day. I have aches and pains but we get the job done and sleep it off, then wake up and do it all again,” said Setiawan.

Sadiyah added: “Our one respite is food. Everywhere we go we look for good food. Most of all durian and here in Thailand you get some of the best. It keeps us happy.”

Durian keeps Sadiyah and Setiawan in the game.

New French pair Meril Loquette and Coraline Bergeron lost to India’s Kumar Nitesh/Thulasimathi Murugesan 14-21 19-21.

“We are in a tough group with Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila and Hikmat Ramdani and this pair from India but this is a good partnership,” said Loquette.

Being the SL3 half of the team, Bergeron explained how they work: “We are friends off court so that helps. He shares his experience and tactics, and I do my part.”

“I’m able to cover the whole court because in my mind I’m playing like in singles but she has a strong arm and is very encouraging,” Loquette added.

“Few years ago, I only wanted to focus on singles but with the mixed doubles now in the Paralympics, Coraline and I make a good team. To qualify for Paris 2024, we have to get pass Lucas Mazur and Faustine Noel and that’s not going to be easy.”

Loquette and Bergeron plan to divide and conquer.

Results (Day 3)

Order of play (Day 4)

Olympic and Paralympic News

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

1 March 2024
Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

29 February 2024
Take Two, with New Mates

Take Two, with New Mates

15 February 2024
Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

13 February 2024
Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

12 February 2024
Paris Dreaming

Paris Dreaming

8 February 2024
Sprint Begins

Sprint Begins

7 February 2024
Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

10 January 2024
In the League of Greats

In the League of Greats

7 January 2024
Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

6 January 2024
Game for Friendly Fight

Game for Friendly Fight

5 January 2024
Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

4 January 2024
Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

2 January 2024
Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

13 December 2023
Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

12 December 2023
BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

25 October 2023
Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

4 August 2023
Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

26 July 2023
Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

20 July 2023
Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

28 June 2023
Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

19 June 2023
Thai Para: Daily Discussions Lead to Gold

Thai Para: Daily Discussions Lead to Gold

15 May 2023
Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

14 May 2023
Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

13 May 2023
Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

12 May 2023
The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

1 May 2023
French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to March

French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to...

27 April 2023
Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

15 April 2023
Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: Sooyoung So Good

Spanish Para: Sooyoung So Good

26 February 2023
Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

26 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

25 February 2023
Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

24 February 2023
Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

22 February 2023
Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

21 February 2023
Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

18 February 2023
Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

4 January 2023
‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

23 December 2022
Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

13 December 2022
Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

26 November 2022
‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

17 November 2022
Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

28 July 2022