With the conclusion of the Paralympics, we look at those who made the biggest impression on Para badminton’s biggest stage.

Wheelchair (WH1)

In the men’s Wheelchair (WH1), Qu Zimo retained his singles and doubles titles, adding to the five World Championships golds – including two this year – that he has won in his career, making him an all-time great of the sport.

The singles bronze went to Thomas Wandschneider, who became an inspirational figure during the Paralympics for his athleticism at his age in a physically demanding category (he will soon be 61).

Sarina Satomi couldn’t defend her women’s doubles gold, but she was up to the task in women’s singles. Having lost her group match to Yin Meng Lu, Satomi avenged it in the semifinals before prevailing over Sujirat Pookkham in the final.

Wheelchair (WH2)

Liu Yu Tong and Daiki Kajiwara continued their dominance of WH2. Liu Yu Tong bettered her performance from Tokyo 2020, winning the doubles (with Yin Meng Lu) to add to her singles crown. The 20-year-old now has three Olympic gold to go with her six World Championships titles.

Kajiwara, meanwhile, remained untouchable in men’s singles WH2, not dropping a game throughout his campaign.

Chan Ho Yuen Daniel had stated he would to retire after the Paralympics, and the Hong Kong China star had the perfect farewell campaign, finishing with silver. His long-time rival Kim Jung Jun was one point away from missing the podium but the 44-year-old held off young compatriot Yu Sooyoung in a tense playoff for bronze.

Short Stature (SH6)

Men’s singles SH6 has become the most competitive category in Para badminton with several frontline contenders. In this field, Charles Noakes proved a cut above the rest as he won his five matches in straight games, including the final which closed on a memorable note for home fans.

Li Fengmei provided a boost to China’s Paralympic campaign with two gold medals in the categories of women’s singles SH6 and mixed doubles SH6. The mixed doubles semifinal between Li and Lin Naili against Subhan Subhan/Rina Marlina was one of the great matches of the Paralympics, with the hour-long battle going China’s way.

While there were notable performances from players like Krysten Coombs and Vitor Tavares, it was Miles Krajewski who stole the show in two categories. Still only 19, the USA player was within a point of making the semifinals in singles. In mixed doubles he and Jayci Simon created history with a runner-up place – becoming the first USA players to achieve a medal at the Olympics or Paralympics.

Standing Lower (SL3)

In the absence of defending champion Pramod Bhagat, Daniel Bethell was overwhelming favourite for SL3 gold. But Nitesh Kumar found the right tactics to hold him at bay, employing a generous dose of patience and composure to nick the gold from the Briton from match point down in what was surely the standout final of the Games.

Women’s singles SL3 saw Xiao Zuxian take the gold over Qonitah Ikhtiar Syakuroh, but perhaps the most moving story in this category was that of bronze medallist Mariam Eniola Bolaji, who had overcome a difficult childhood and the loss of her beloved coach Rafiu Bello Oyebanji.

Standing Lower (SL4)

There was almost a touch of Viktor Axelsen in Lucas Mazur’s winning campaign. Like the Dane who comfortably defended his Olympic title, Mazur was never threatened, coasting through all his matches, including the final over Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj.

It was a somewhat similar story in women’s singles SL4, with Cheng Hefang easily defending her title over Leani Ratri Oktila.

Standing Upper (SU5)

Cheah Liek Hou was expected to remain unchallenged in men’s singles SU5 and he was, with his principal opponents Dheva Anrimusthi and Suryo Nugroho unable to dislodge him. In women’s singles SU5, Yang Qiuxia held off the challenge from her chief rival Thulasimathi Murugesan with surprising ease in the final.