The best French Para-badminton players will meet this weekend in Ponts-de-Cé, in Maine-et-Loire, to win the prestigious title of Champion of France. Featured, Charles Noakes, gold medalist at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Para-badminton is a big family. Everyone has their story, their handicap, but at the end of the racket, they all have the same love of driving. And the best ambassador is undoubtedly Charles Noakes from Nantes, Paralympic champion at the 2024 Olympics and world number one in his category.
“It’s close to my heart to make people want to dream, to play sport. Tell myself, it’s not because I have a disability that I don’t have the right to play sports or do an activity that will help me, that will allow me to feel good about myself. And today, I have this role of ambassador. I hope to do it for as long as possible.”
As a high-level athlete, it’s always a pleasure to come and talk to the players, talk to the children, the adults, to share a little of my experience of the Games because it was still an extraordinary moment. You have to know how to give back what you have experienced.
Charles NoakesGold medalist at the 2024 Paralympic Games
Among the hundred players present this weekend, Abdoullah Ait Bella, licensed at the Cholet club, crowned last year with his very first major title, a bronze medal in mixed doubles won with his partner Coraline Bergeron, during the European Championships.
“This medal allowed us to climb to 7th place in the world rankings. As a result, it opens up opportunities and also a more simplified path for qualification for the Los Angeles Games in 2028,” confirms the 26-year-old, who was not selected for singles at the Paris Olympics.
The most talented French players now train at CREPS in Nantes, which has hosted the very first French para-badminton center since October 2025. “We’re a good group. And frankly, a very good atmosphere within the Pôle France and it’s great, good conditions for training”explains Coraline Bergeron. “I’ve made good progress. By having two training sessions a day, the work obviously pays off.”
This weekend in Anjou is also good preparation before the Para-badminton Worlds, scheduled for February 8 to 14 in Bahrain.
