Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon into Gold Medal Match at Paris 2024
- August 31, 2024
- 9:16 pm
Against all odds and with unwavering determination, the Mixed Doubles pair of Miles Krajewski and Jayci Simon have made it to the Gold Medal Match at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, a feat no other para badminton athlete from the Pan American region has ever accomplished. Following a dramatic three-way tie in the round robin stage, the U.S. pair cliched their semifinal spot thanks to a crucial points differential, where they defeated Sivarajan Solaimalai and Nithya Sre Sumathy Siva to move on to the finals. They will face China’s Lin Naili and Li Fengmei for the gold medal on Monday, September 2.
In Men’s Singles, Miles Krajewski has made it out of the round robin stage to get to the quarterfinals. He will play Brazil’s Vitor Tavares for a spot into the final four.
The match is charged with significance, as it pairs Miles with someone he respects both on and off the court. Miles shared that advancing to the next round in men’s singles means a great deal to him. “I love playing singles just as much as I love playing mixed doubles,” he said. “Knowing that I’m up against one of my best friends makes it even more special to share this stage with him.”
Despite their friendship, Miles emphasized that it wouldn’t affect his approach to the game. “It’s all about the competition,” he noted. “When we’re on the court, it’s about winning and coming out on top.” His ability to compartmentalize his emotions and stay focused on the game speaks volumes about his mental toughness.
Jayci Simon’s journey in Women’s Singles at the Paralympic Games concluded with her last match in the round robin stage, but she maintained a positive and reflective attitude and took pride in her performance. In an interview following her final Paralympic singles match, where she secured a convincing victory with scores of 21-9 and 21-8, Simon shared her thoughts and experiences as she concluded her journey in the women’s singles competition.
“I felt pretty well-prepared,” she said, noting that while she usually feels nervous, she approached this match with a sense of freedom knowing she had little to lose. Her strategy allowed her to stay calm amid the lively atmosphere of a packed stadium.
“The crowd and the wave were a bit distracting, but it was exciting to be in such an energetic environment.” Reflecting on her match, Jayci acknowledged the progress she’s made over the past few months. “It felt great to see my skills improve, even though my opponents were challenging,” she said. She credited her stamina and physical strength as key factors in her performance.
Photo Credit: BadmintonPhoto (Craig Burgess)
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