Our SuperSmashSquad for the 2024 Paris Paralympics qualifiers has been announced.
A total of 120 para-badminton athletes (60 men and 60 women) from 31 National Paralympic Committees have qualified for the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
They will compete in 16 events (12 singles and 4 doubles).
2024 Paris Paralympics Qualifiers
The 2024 Paris Paralympic Games will feature three new events: Women’s Singles SL3, Women’s Singles SH6, and Mixed Doubles SH6.
France will be represented by a strong home contingent of eight athletes, including the reigning men’s singles SL4 gold medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Lucas Mazur.
Athletes from Austria, Belgium, Chile, Italy, New Zealand, Nigeria, and the USA will be making their debut in para-badminton at the Paralympics.
The para-badminton events will be held from August 29 to September 2, 2024, at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
Highlights:
Just two years ago, Palak Kohli was diagnosed with a bone tumor in her left ankle, causing her to worry about her para-badminton career.
Palak Kohli Returns to the Paralympics for the Second Time
Fast forward to 2024, the 21-year-old Indian player is making her second appearance at the Paralympics, having fully recovered after a 12-month surgery. Post-surgery, her left leg became shorter, requiring her to wear different-sized shoes. This led to Kohli being reclassified from SU5 to her new category SL4.
“After the International Paralympic Committee announced the gold medal, I set it as my phone wallpaper. I wanted to focus on the Paris Paralympics because it is my dream. Standing on the podium would be ideal. After missing out on a medal in the bronze medal match at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, what I want most is a medal,” Kohli said.
New Zealand para-badminton rookie Wojtek Czyz is returning to the Paralympics for the fourth time. He previously represented Germany in para-athletics, winning seven medals, including four golds, in sprints and long jump.
“I am really looking forward to inspiring the next generation and helping New Zealand nurture new para-athletes.”
“Badminton has always been a hobby of mine since I was a child, but I never played it professionally.”
“Qualifying was not easy… but I was fortunate to share my vision and passion with others and build a team around me. Through the collective effort of the team, we achieved this goal.”
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