U.S. Badminton Paralympians Make Their Debut at Paris 2024
- August 29, 2024
- 5:13 pm
Just one day after the Opening Ceremony for the Paralympics at Paris 2024, badminton play began at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Both of the U.S. first-time Paralympians made their debut on court.
For USA Badminton athletes Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon, the decision surrounding attendance at the Opening Ceremony was not an easy one. With their first matches scheduled for the morning, they opted to stay in the village and watch the festivities on screen, prioritizing their rest and preparation.
Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon showcased their skill and determination in their opening mixed doubles match, overcoming initial nerves to secure a win against India. They established a 19-14 lead but faced a brief setback as India edged ahead 20-19. However, the U.S. pair clinched the first game 23-21 and dominated the second game with a 21-11 victory. The match lasted 35 minutes, highlighted by a 28-second rally with 25 strokes. At 8:00 PM local time, they will take on Thailand.
Due to earlier session delays, Simon’s singles match against India was rescheduled and pushed back. Despite a strong start with a 5-3 lead, Simon struggled as her opponent surged ahead, resulting in a 21-7, 21-8 loss. She is set to play against China on Friday at 6:00 PM local time.
In men’s singles, Krajewski faced Thailand and managed to stay competitive in the first game, ultimately losing 21-13. The second game was a dramatic back-and-forth; after being down 11-6, Miles rallied to level the score at 13-13 and took a 18-15 lead. Despite his efforts, he narrowly lost 22-20. Krajewski will compete against India on Friday at 7:20 PM local time.
Photo Credit: BadmintonPhoto (Alan Spink, Craig Burgess)
3/5