Quarter-finalist at the Olympic Games for the deaf and hard of hearing (Deaflympics) in November 2025 in Japan, but also double European champion in April 2025 in the Czech Republic, Xavier-Guillaume Valledor honored his status during the French para-badminton championships which took place in Ponts-de-Cé (Maine-et-Loire) from January 23 to 25, 2026.
In his category of hearing impaired, the licensee of the US Argenton, driving force of the club team in N3, showed that he was still worth gold: champion of France in men’s singles and doubles, associated with the Alsatian Titouan Keiffer. For Valledor, it is a copy and paste of the “France” 2025 contested in Gien (Loiret), where he had already been crowned twice, in singles and mixed doubles. At Ponts-de-Cé, he had to settle for silver in this last discipline where he formed a tandem with Emma Hurtaud (Grenoble).
A great first for Berthier-Nicault
Emma Hurtaud, privileged partner of the Argentonnais during these French championships since she also made a pair in doubles with the other resident of the USA in the running, Louise Bernard. A duo who won the silver medal, Louise Bernard enhancing her collection with bronze in mixed doubles alongside Kevin Eav (Firminy).
Two gold medals, two silver, one bronze: the Argentinian club can be proud of the harvest of its representatives. At its neighbor CCBa (Castelroussin Badminton Club), we are also delighted with the performance of its nugget, Erwan Berthier-Nicault. Under the jersey of the Bourges Hope Center of which he is a part, the 12-year-old boy quite simply won the first international medal of his young career during the “Babolat French International Borders” in Strasbourg, a benchmark tournament in France for U13s and U15s and registered on the European calendar. Bronze in doubles, associated with Vincent Moreau (Saint-Avertin). Champion seed in the one who is now 6e French player in his category.
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