Bethell and Coombs win Para-badminton silvers

Bethell is competing at his second Paralympics

British duo Dan Bethell and Krysten Coombs both claimed Paralympic badminton silver medals after losing out in their respective finals in Paris.

Bethell had a gold-medal point against Kumar Nitesh of India in the men's SL3 singles decider, but went down 14-21 21-18 23-21 to finish runner-up for a second Games in a row.

Coombes, a bronze medallist in Tokyo in 2021 when the sport made its debut, gave everything in the men's SH6 decider against French favourite Charles Noakes who was cheered on by a raucous late night home crowd at La Chapelle Arena.

After a tight opening game, Noakes pulled away early in the second and despite a late Coombs flurry, sealed a 21-19 21-13 success.

Bethell 'devastated' after loss

Bethell, the world number two, had not dropped a game on his way to his second consecutive final and beaten Nitesh in their nine previous encounters.

"I came here for gold and after winning silver in Tokyo I wanted to go one better, but I just couldn't get over the line," said the 28-year-old.

"At the moment it feels pretty devastating."

After the pair shared the first two games, Bethell recovered from 19-16 down in the decider, saved a match point and had one of his own before Nitesh rallied again to break British hearts.

Coombs revels in 'amazing' experience

Coombs, who has appeared as an extra in the TV show Game of Thrones, held the early initiative against Noakes, who led 6-5 in their head-to-head meetings coming into the Games.

There was never more than three points in it in the opening game but the Frenchman finished strongly and then built up a 19-7 lead in the second game to put him on the brink of glory.

Coombs rattled off the next five points to give himself a glimmer of hope, but it wasn't enough to stop Noakes, much to the delight of his supporters.

"It obviously wasn't the result I'd have wanted but to be out there with that crowd was incredible and amazing," said the Briton. "Near the end I had to take it all in.

"I came out to play my best badminton and see what happened. The dream was to win that gold but it wasn't to be.

"There was a momentum swing at 17-17 in the first game, he got that little edge and that's badminton, that's what happens.

"I struggled a little bit to come back out in the second, but I gave it my all."