A Triumphant Weekend for Para-Badminton in Gien
The French Para-Badminton Championships took place in Gien from January 10th to 12th, under the watchful eye of Paralympic champion Charles Noakes. Noakes, who secured gold in para-badminton at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, dominated the competition, effortlessly winning both the men’s singles and doubles categories.
Beyond his notable performance,Noakes actively engaged with fellow athletes,offering guidance to his doubles partner and sharing his experiences. “There’s a real sense of generosity here, which I find incredibly appealing,” he remarked.
the tournament, meticulously organized by the Gien Badminton club, showcased extraordinary talent beyond Noakes. Pauline Pelle-Beaufour, representing the Darvoy/Jargeau/Saint-denis de l’Hôtel Badminton Club, emerged victorious in both the mixed doubles and women’s singles categories for players of shorter stature.
Pelle-Beaufour’s mixed doubles victory, alongside partner Maxime Greboval, came after a thrilling final (21-10, 24-26, 21-10). ”It was a fiercely contested match,” Pelle-Beaufour admitted. “The weekend was intense,but ultimately very successful.”
Adding to her triumphs, Pelle-Beaufour also faced off against Noakes in a doubles match, rounding off an unforgettable weekend.
Sabrina Cornayre, supported by a large contingent of fans from Pithiviers, also enjoyed a remarkable tournament. Competing in a wheelchair, affectionately nicknamed “Pepito,” Cornayre secured gold in women’s singles, silver in mixed doubles, and bronze in women’s doubles.
“This follows my gold medal win at the last French Championships in November,” Cornayre shared with a laugh. “My club friends will definitely be teasing me about this!”
The championships were characterized by a warm and welcoming atmosphere, reflecting the spirit of inclusivity within the para-badminton community.
Franck Laurent, the newly elected president of the French Badminton Federation, praised the event. “We knew we could rely on Gien to deliver a fantastic tournament,” he stated. “The para-badminton community is incredibly welcoming, and that’s something we want to highlight.”
Despite boasting over 230,000 licensed players, para-badminton remains a relatively niche sport in France, with only around 400 registered players. Laurent acknowledges the need to expand the community. “Many people play but choose not to register,” he explained.”We have work to do to increase participation and awareness.”
Striking Gold in Gien: A Para-Badminton Triumph
Welcome back to teh show, badminton enthusiasts! Today, we have a real treat – a deep dive into the thrilling world of para-badminton.Fresh off the court from the triumphant French Para-Badminton Championships in Gien, we have the honor of speaking with Paralympic champion and gold medalist Charles Noakes. Charles, welcome to the program!
Charles: Thanks for having me! It was certainly a fantastic weekend in Gien.
Moderator: Absolutely! You dominated the competition, taking home both men’s singles and doubles titles. It’s obvious the training paid off.
Charles: It was a combination of hard work and the incredible support system around me.
Moderator: Speaking of support, let’s talk about the atmosphere you described as “generous.”
Charles: Absolutely. The para-badminton community is truly special. Everyone is so encouraging, whether you’re a seasoned champion or just starting out. Pauline Pelle-Beaufour, such as, is an incredible talent. She dominated the mixed doubles and women’s singles, showing incredible resilience throughout the tournament.
You teamed up with her for a doubles match; tell us about that experience.
charles: It was fantastic! Pauline is incredibly skilled, and it was an honor to share the court with her.
Moderator: It truly seems the competition was fierce, especially in the mixed doubles final. Pauline had quite the battle securing the win with her partner Maxime Greboval.
Charles: Oh, definitely! It was a nail-biting match, but they showed real grit and determination.
Moderator: Sabrina Cornayre also had an remarkable performance, winning gold in the women’s singles and adding silver and bronze in mixed doubles and women’s doubles, respectively. What are your thoughts on her achievements?
Charles: Sabrina is a force to be reckoned with! She’s a true inspiration, competing in her wheelchair and achieving such incredible results. It’s a testament to her dedication and talent.
Moderator: It’s incredible to see such diverse and accomplished athletes within the para-badminton community.
Charles: Truly.We have people of all abilities coming together, united by their passion for the sport. It’s inspiring to witness.
Moderator: Franck Laurent, President of the French Badminton Federation, highlighted the welcoming atmosphere and the federation’s commitment to growing para-badminton in France. What are your thoughts on the sport’s development and future prospects?
Charles: It’s fantastic to see the federation actively promoting para-badminton.
Moderator: Absolutely! We see from the article that despite a large badminton community in France, para-badminton participation remains limited. What do you think are the key factors in attracting more players and gaining wider recognition for the sport?
Charles: Awareness is key! We need to get people excited about para-badminton, highlight the stories of athletes like Pauline, Sabrina, and myself. We need to show the world what makes this sport so captivating.
We at [Website name] are committed to promoting the amazing world of para-badminton. How do our readers get involved?
Charles: Follow events, support local clubs, and spread the word! Every bit of support helps.
Moderator: Excellent advice! We encourage our readers to join the conversation.
[Host engages the audience with questions like:] “Have you ever seen a para-badminton match? What are your thoughts on the rise of this incredible sport?”
