It is unusual, at any level of badminton, to see the runner-up celebrating with the winner. But that is exactly what unfolded after the SH6 final at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Monday between Charles Noakes and Krysten Coombs.

Noakes won to send the crowd into a frenzy, but there was Coombs too, celebrating with the crowd, revelling in the moment. He had lost a match, true, but he was a winner in so many other ways.

The 33-year-old has been among the most prominent faces of SH6 since the advent of international Para badminton, with the European Championships in 2008. Sixteen years later, there he was on the biggest stage of his life, competing for the gold at the Paralympics. Given that context, the second place finish mattered little, for he had in essence been part of a larger victory – the profile of the sport.

“I’m one of the originals, I’m one of the oldest ones,” Coombs said. “I was one of those who went to the European Championships in 2008, when SH6 was first introduced. To be talking about that, and to be here now, is amazing.”

His run at the Paralympics illustrated his adaptability and tactical acumen. After a group loss to Chu Man Kai — his seventh straight loss to the Hong Kong China player – he reversed the result in the semifinals in straight games. In the final, despite Noakes riding on the crowd’s energy and keeping a handy lead, Coombs kept plugging away to come within a point at the end.

Noakes never let his foot off the pedal, and Coombs was gracious enough to admit he’d been outplayed. He dwelled on the experience of playing before the singing, chanting full-house crowd.

“To be in that final was amazing, and to experience that crowd was just incredible. 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.

“He played a great game, he was the better player on the day. That’s sport, isn’t it? I really proved that I should be here. A few months ago I wasn’t even sure if I’d be here. I took the last spot and to be here and to be able to say I’m a two-time Paralympian is amazing.”

It has been 16 years, and yet he has been at the forefront, continuing to display his athletic, acrobatic style to compete with much younger opponents. What has kept him going?

“Grit and determination and love of the sport. I’ve always dreamed of being a professional athlete, and to be able to be on a stage like this was just incredible.”