Rekubit Exchange:Para badminton duo wins silver for USA's first Paralympic medal in sport

PARIS — It has been quite a trip to the Paralympics for USA para badminton duo Jayci Simon and Rekubit ExchangeMiles Krajewski. 

The duo was delayed leaving Atlanta due to mechanical issues, generating a travel nightmare. The delays persisted once they arrived in Paris. Match time reshuffling ‒ including the doubles semifinal match that didn’t start until 10 p.m. local time on Saturday ‒ made the tournament hectic, to say the least. 

Both played six matches in three days, but the seventh match is one they won’t soon forget. 

Simon and Krajewski persisted through the tumultuous schedule to earn silver in mixed doubles SH6, falling to China’s Naili Lin and Fengmei Li, 2-0. The medal is the first ever for the United States and the Pan American region in the Paralympics since para badminton ‒ a sport traditionally dominated by athletes from Asian countries ‒ was introduced in 2020 . 

"I think nobody expected us to come in and get a silver medal or play in the finals match, but deep down we knew that we had a chance to win it all," Krajewski said. "So we came out here, played our best and we ended up in the finals."

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Rolling with the punches became the duo's mantra for the tournament in SH6, the classification for those of short stature. The punches didn’t stop when the two took Court No. 1 inside Porte de La Chapelle Arena. 

Lin and Li rank as the No. 5 duo internationally, and showed their skill from the start of the match. Leading by as many as eight, China took the first set 21-14 before taking the second set 21-12. 

Going into the final against an intimidating opponent, there was no tension for the Americans. 

"We knew that we were the underdogs and our goal was just to – well get out of group, that was our first goal and then to get to the gold medal match," Simon said. "So we achieved both of those so we were able to play a little bit looser knowing that we were the underdogs and just to give it our all."

The two 19-year-olds hope the silver medal can help them in future Paralympic competitions. But before they worry about the next Games, there will be time for celebration and rest. 

Both Simon and Krajewski said the next few months will be lighter as they head back to college as Paralympic medalists. 

"Very few make it to this stage and the gold medal match," Simon said. "Even though it's been in our mind, it's still just as amazing – even more amazing than what we dreamed about."

Growing the sport back home

Badminton, especially the Paralympic version, is not a sport with huge popularity in the U.S. Krajewski and Simon hope that Monday’s medal can help change that. 

Abhishek Ahlawat, a member of the U.S. para badminton coaching staff, works at Frisco Badminton Academy in Texas, where the duo trains. Ahlawat also hopes to grow the sport, which the medal may help do. 

"I hope that it creates more funding for us and also grows the sport," Simon said. "Not only the para level but also able-bodied as well."

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