What could be better than a French championship at home to come out of the shadows. Charles Noakes, 23, intends to seize the opportunity to strike a blow … In terms of image in particular. During this national meeting, co-organized by the clubs of Carquefou and Saint-Herblain, which starts this Friday at the Souchais gymnasium in Carquefou, the 23-year-old Herblinois is aiming for gold in singles and doubles in class SH 6 (small sizes). As he had managed to do in 2020. This is clearly the goal of this year, slips the one who will continue to evolve with Fabien Morat in doubles. I must not give any gift to my opponents and lose fewer points than in 2020. My coach helps me to maintain confidence, not to put pressure on me and advises me to play as in training.
Charles Noakes, who trains at the Nantes hope center, was spotted and encouraged by his trainer Philippe Molé to enter parabadminton competitions at the national and international levels.
A discipline that this sports enthusiast discovered after twelve years of football and swimming experience. Today, the Saint-Herblain player gives himself, from the height of his meter forty-five, body and soul to para-badminton. My parents still imposed a condition on me before I embarked on my sports project, to finish my studies in order to ensure a future, explique Charles Noakes. So I studied for 3 years and obtained my Bachelor in Sport Event & Management in Nantes.
The reigning double French champion trains with able-bodied opponents and in a wheelchair. It allowed me to improve myself.
Currently, he takes full advantage of training with young people from the Pôle espoir who are between 13 and 17 years old. It’s very instructive, even if at the start, it is not easy to be beaten by such young players, he smiles. But they are very open and involved. They guide me thanks to their technique and their excellent level.
“I hope to make a living from para-badminton”
Assets for the triple medalist parabadist (bronze in singles and gold in men’s doubles and silver in mixed doubles) at the Spanish Open last April. Too fair to qualify for the Tokyo Paralympic Games (August 24 – September 5), where the para-bad ‘will be present for the first time, Charles Noakes is targeting those in Paris in 2024.
In the meantime, he continues to move forward and to set up a coherent sports structure. Already supported by several sponsors, Charles Noakes, who has created his own website, continues to prospect. I want to make a living from para-badminton. My sponsors allow me to finance my project. Currently I am in civic service and I make interventions in schools to sensitize young people to handicaps in high level sport but also to the benefits to the practice of sport in general.
Between daily training, a calibrated lifestyle and a sharp mental preparation, Charles Noakes puts all the chances on his side to reach the heights. This obviously involves a great French championship at home.
French Para-badminton Championship: July 2 to 4 at Souchais in Carquefou.
.
