Paul Arokiassamy Triumphs Over Julien Gressard in Chalon Badminton Finals

Local favorite Julien Gressard came close to claiming victory on his home court but ultimately fell short in the men’s singles 1 (SH1) final at the Chalon badminton tournament. Paul Arokiassamy, representing the Sud Essonne club, secured the title in a decisive match held at the Maison des sports in Chalon-sur-Saône, France.

The match, which lasted 29 minutes, saw Arokiassamy maintain control over the pacing and technical execution, defeating Gressard with a final score of 21-18, 21-12. For the local crowd, it was a tense affair that flirted with a third set before Arokiassamy pulled away.

Match Breakdown: Technical Precision Over Local Momentum

The opening set was a tightly contested battle. Gressard fought to maintain pace with Arokiassamy, who utilized a highly technical style of play that proved tricky for the Saône-et-Loirien to neutralize. Despite the effort to contain the Sud Essonne player’s strategy, Gressard dropped the first set 21-18.

The momentum shifted decisively in the second set. Gressard found himself distanced early in the frame, struggling to close the gap as Arokiassamy accelerated his lead. The match concluded logically with a 21-12 result in the second set, sealing the victory for the visitor.

For those unfamiliar with the SH1 designation, it refers to the top-tier category for senior men’s singles, representing the highest level of competition at this specific tournament.

Complete Results from the Maison des sports

While the SH1 final captured much of the attention, the tournament featured strong performances across multiple senior categories. The competition highlighted a range of skill levels and intense rallies across the courts.

The final results for the senior men’s categories were as follows:

• SH1: Paul Arokiassamy def. Julien Gressard (21-18, 21-12)
• SH2: Mouillon def. Hyvernat (21-14, 21-18)
• SH3: Billiard def. Delagneau (21-19, 17-21, 21-17)
• SH4: Banas def. Pegaz (21-15, 21-15)

Beyond the men’s singles, other local athletes found success during the three-day event. Records indicate that Marion Afchain was among the medalists recognized for her performance during the tournament.

A History of Local Dominance

Although Gressard was unable to secure the trophy this year, he is no stranger to success at this venue. In April 2019, Gressard previously dominated the tournament organized by the Chalon-sur-Saône badminton club, winning the first series and establishing himself as a master of his home court.

The 2025 event continued the tradition of bringing high-level regional talent to Chalon-sur-Saône, reinforcing the city’s role as a hub for competitive badminton in the Burgundy region.

With the conclusion of the Easter tournament, players will now glance toward the next phase of the regional circuit. While Gressard missed the top spot, his performance keeps him firmly in the conversation as one of the region’s most competitive singles players.

For more updates on regional badminton and tournament results, follow the official communications from the Le JSL reports or the Chalon-sur-Saône badminton club.

Do you feel technical precision or raw power wins more matches in senior badminton? Let us know in the comments below.