It has been a roller coaster year for Thomas Jakobs of France and his men’s doubles partner David Toupe but Jakobs has decided to end the year on a high.

Toupe’s back injury took them out of competition in Japan in September and it has not been smooth sailing at the 5th Fazza Dubai Para Badminton International 2023 either.

“We had to play China and Korea in the doubles group rounds. I had some tough singles matches but I’ve come out on top,” said Jakobs after he beat Noor Azwan Noorlan (Malaysia) 21-15 13-21 21-13 in the Wheelchair WH2 men’s singles.

Jakobs takes on Tokyo 2020 champion Daiki Kajiwara in the quarterfinals.

“It’s almost impossible to beat him. We’re all playing the same shots but the difference is that he does it with perfection every time. He’s confident, powerful and most of all, consistent.”

Still, Jakobs has had cause to celebrate, winning the singles bronze and doubles silver with Toupe at the European Para Games in August. And he is currently seventh in the singles and fourth in the doubles in the Race to Paris rankings.

Setting his sights on the world championships in February and the Paris 2024 Paralympics, he said: “Things are looking up and just being on home ground will motivate us.”

Community Camaraderie

Australia’s Martyn Ford, men’s singles WH2, discovered badminton by accident after being introduced to it by his wheelchair Australian Football League (AFL) buddies a year ago.

“It’s been a good year in ways that I never expected,” said Ford, after he and Shaimaa Samy Abdellatif (Egypt) lost to Korea’s Choi Jungman and Jung Gyeol in the mixed WH1-2 doubles.

“I’m away from my family a lot but I’ve found my travelling family.

“We face off on court but then as soon as the match is done, we’re helping each other and hanging out. And it’s not always about badminton. It’s the little things we do for each other. It’s amazing to be part of this community.”

Unfazed by Injury

Switzerland’s Cynthia Mathez advanced to the quarterfinals of the women’s singles WH1 after she defeated Hu Guang-Chiou (Chinese Taipei) 21-5 21-15.

“It was hard to concentrate because of the pain in my hand,” said Mathez who has been plagued by a shoulder injury as well this year.

“It’s arthritis and ligament damage but I decided against surgery, relying only on physiotherapy. I continued training but only at 50 percent intensity. When I go home, I need to do an MRI for the hand.

“I don’t let it get to me. I have my women’s singles silver in the European Para Games and I’m excited to be back on court with Marc (Elmer),” she said.

Mathez takes on Ana Gomez of Brazil in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles, then partners Elmer (Switzerland) to play Manh Giang Hoang and Thi Hong Thao Hoang of Vietnam in the mixed doubles.

Thailand’s Sujirat Pookham has also decided to rise above her injury woes.

“It’s been a difficult year. After the Spain tournament in February, I had an inner ear problem which caused imbalance and pain. Even now the doctors have said it can recur at any time,” said Pookham.

Returning to competition after three months, she found herself unable to reach her fullest potential, losing in the finals of several major tournaments, including the Hangzhou Asian Games in October this year.

The previous year was also not ideal as a shoulder surgery took her out of competition after the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

“I’m definitely not at my best here but I am getting stronger and I can only hope to be at least at 95 percent for the world championships and the Paris 2024 Paralympics,” said Pookham.

She beat Auricelia Nunes Evangelista (Brazil) 21-4 21-6 to top her group and set up a quarterfinal against Korea’s Kwon Hyunah.

Results