French Paralympian Wins Gold at Home in Paris 2024

Standing on a Paris court with thousands of home fans roaring around him, French Para badminton player Charles Noakes turned years of sacrifice into his first Paralympic gold medal.

Noakes dominated the men's singles SH6 final at Paris 2024, defeating Great Britain's Krysten Coombs in straight games. The 28-year-old made his Paralympic debut unforgettable, going unbeaten throughout the entire tournament from August 28 to September 8.

"The crowd was just so noisy it was just amazing," Noakes recalled two years after his victory. "It was like being in a football stadium, but all the attention was only on you."

The match showcased more than athletic skill. Both Noakes and Coombs had never won a major tournament during the qualification period, yet they met in the Paralympic final and displayed genuine friendship and respect throughout their competition.

Noakes credits his mental preparation for success. He sang the French national anthem before each match to block out distractions and maintain his daily routine to manage pressure.

"When I won the gold, the first feeling I felt was relief, because I've sacrificed a lot to be able to win that tournament," he said. "Each time I lost, doubt started to creep in, and I wanted to believe in myself."

Why This Inspires

Born in London with short stature and raised partly in Hong Kong, Noakes didn't discover Para badminton until 2017 after moving to Saultron, France. His former coach Philippe Molé introduced him to the sport and believed in his potential from day one.

"If I didn't meet my first coach I wouldn't have become Paralympic champion," Noakes said. "You mustn't forget who believed in you when you first arrived."

For Noakes, competing at the Paralympics represents a "revenge on life." Living with short stature comes with daily challenges, but reaching the world's biggest Para sport stage proved that belief and determination can overcome any obstacle.

Now he's setting his sights on LA28 with an ambitious goal: becoming the first SH6 player to win two consecutive Paralympic gold medals. He knows the unpredictability of his event makes mental strength just as crucial as physical training.

Beyond personal glory, Noakes wants to expand Para badminton's reach. "We want to show Para badminton to the entire world and to attract new players," he said.

His journey from discovering the sport in 2017 to carrying the Paralympic flame during Paris 2024's closing ceremony proves that with the right support and self-belief, dreams become reality.