On an evening awash in emotion, the Para badminton competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games concluded on a celebratory tone, with the home crowd gifted a gold medal in Short Stature (SH6) by local hero Charles Noakes.

Coupled with Lucas Mazur’s defence of his men’s singles SL4 gold earlier in the day, it couldn’t have gone any better for home fans.

Yet, there was a sporting and celebratory feel to the rapturous ovations, rather than purely nationalistic fervour. The spirit of the competition was captured by Great Britain’s veteran Krysten Coombs, who, despite falling in straight games in the final, joined in the celebrations. On the day, as it had all week, there were only winners and runners-up, no losers.

Charles Noakes has been the standout SH6 player at the Paralympics, having not dropped a game all week. In the final, playing veteran Krysten Coombs, Noakes soared on the crowd’s energy, using his athleticism and anticipation to nick a close first game before storming ahead in the second.

“Some of the best days of my life, something amazing,” said Noakes. “I’ve got no words, it’s just magic… and today I’m very proud to be a French Para badminton player. And to win in France is… it’s beyond my words to describe what’s happening.

“Today we showed that France is a champion country. Lucas won gold in SL4 and I wanted to follow him and I followed him. It was magic, and I’m proud to be French.

Th first game was a bit stressful because I didn’t manage to concentrate correctly. Coombs played really well and it was important for me to win the first game to build the mental battle.”

Coombs, having given it his all, wasn’t shy of admitting he’d been beaten by the better player.

“To be in that final was amazing, and to experience that crowd was just incredible,” said Coombs. “Obviously I would have loved to come away with the gold medal but you can’t always do that. I got two amazing games yesterday and I’m just over the moon to come away with a silver medal.”

There were equally moving scenes in the bronze medal playoff, with Vitor Tavares winning a first-ever medal for Brazil. Having lost at the same stage in Tokyo 2020, Tavares knew what was at stake when he faced last time’s silver medallist Chu Man Kai.

“This medal is important not just for me, but for my team, for Brazil. I put my mind that it’s always possible. I didn’t start well as I lost two matches, but I came back strong, and now I’m a Paralympic medallist!” said Tavares.

“I was a bit nervous because it’s a difficult match, it’s a bronze medal match and if you lose you get no medal. I dreamed of a medal, and now, I live my dream!

“It’s very very special for us. All Brazilians are happy. I didn’t do it by myself, there was a team. And now, all the work has helped.”

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