Paralympics Paris 2024 | Para badminton - Lucas Mazur's crazy day, double medallist in a matter of hours, including gold in the SL4 singles: ‘The best day of my life’.

It was a day that will live forever in his memory. On Monday 2 September 2024, Lucas Mazur made Para badminton history by becoming double SL4 Paralympic singles champion, in front of a packed Porte de la Chapelle Arena.

The Frenchman was simply unflappable before facing No. 1 seed and reigning world champion Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj of India in the final. A few months earlier in Pattaya (Thailand), the 26-year-old had lost in the semi-finals to the same Indian player. So he was keen to exact revenge at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

‘After losing the title in Thailand a few months ago, I decided to change training site and coach. It was a very long 4-5 months, a bit isolated in Loir-et-Cher. But when I see all those hours of sacrifice for such a great result, I'd be prepared to do it 10 times over. I often push for what I believe in. Sometimes I make a mistake and run into the wall, but sometimes it pays off. And today, I think it paid off,’ he said with a smile after the match.

Even before he took to the field, Lucas Mazur could count on the support of his fans, who unfurled a tifo depicting the emblem of the French Paralympic team and sang the Marseillaise as he warmed up.

The start of the match set the tone for the whole match. Seven consecutive points in the first seven exchanges and Lucas Mazur was already on cloud nine. The Frenchman stunned the Indian with devastating smashes. Too fast, too precise... too strong.

‘I'm really happy to have set the record straight. A few months ago, I lost a title that was more important to me than anything else. Pattaya was a positive slap in the face. And today, I've won the most beautiful match and the most beautiful medal that I could have dreamt of all these years, since 8 years ago when it was announced that the Games were going to be organised. I'm so proud, so happy. I'm thinking of my family, my friends and the people who came to cheer me on today. I'm proud,’ continued the four-time Paralympic medallist.

Victory in 34 minutes

Suhas Lalinakere Yathiraj, completely overwhelmed by what was at stake, could only admit the superiority of his opponent on the day: ‘I'm not very happy with the way I played. I should have played better from the start and concentrated a bit more on my power. He played very well and stuck to his strategy. I have mixed feelings, because I would have preferred to win, but I'm happy with the silver medal and it was great to play in front of such a big crowd, even though I lost’, confided the 41-year-old, once again the Paralympic runner-up in the SL4 singles.

Lucas Mazur continued to concentrate on his game, clenching his fist between each point he won and regularly asking for the crowd's support. After winning the first set 21-9, the second set began in much the same way. Even though the Indian had a slight surge of pride, the Frenchman killed off his opponent's last hopes and quickly took the lead. In just 34 minutes, he retained his title. 21-9, 21-13... Knees to the floor. Expedient.

‘At times like these, you have to remain very calm and patient. I tried to push as hard as I could, to hold on when I was under pressure when he attacked. I didn't crack for a moment, so I'm so happy and proud of myself. I didn't want the public to fall asleep either. Just because I was leading by a large margin didn't mean the match was over. That's why I tried to activate them at times when I felt my opponent might come back. And precisely so that would give me even more energy to try and lock and close the doors. And that's how it worked. The Arena was the stadium! (laughs) It's been an exceptional atmosphere, it's been a fabulous crowd and I'm sure they'll also be carrying Charles [Noakes, editor's note] later on.’

And yes, the day is not over yet for French Para badminton, as Charles Noakes will be bringing home a third medal for the French clan, either gold or silver, at the end of the evening. A few hours earlier, Lucas Mazur, once again, won the bronze medal with Faustine Noël in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. It was a long day, but a very satisfying one.

‘In Tokyo, first there was the singles and then the defeat in the mixed [where he won silver with Faustine Noël], so to be left with the taste of defeat... no, I prefer today! Especially with the fabulous atmosphere. There were 6 or 7,000 people cheering me on. I'd like to play in four finals just to relive the emotions and the atmosphere... honestly, if I'd had the chance, I'd have played again! To play like that in such a beautiful venue is just great’, he explains.

He concluded, beaming as a new Marseillaise accompanied him as he left court number 1: ‘This is the most beautiful day of my life, even in my wildest dreams I never imagined this. Before today's medal, the World Champion title was for me the most beautiful title I'd ever won, because there was an atmosphere, an emotion. But today was a dream day.