Dan Bethell earned his second successive Paralympic silver after being crushed in an epic remaining in Paris.
The 28-year-old went down 14-21, 21-18, 21-23 in opposition to India’s Kumar Nitesh in an enthralling 80-minute conflict between the highest two seeds at La Chapelle Area.
Bethell misplaced out to Pramod Baghat three years in the past in Tokyo and his compatriot Nitesh managed to maintain gold in India’s fingers after prevailing in a deciding sport which changed into a rollercoaster trip.
“It feels devastating,” stated Bethell. “I got here right here for that gold. I bought the silver in Tokyo and it was my ambition from the begin to go one higher however I simply couldn’t get it over the road.
“I by no means like dropping, notably in a Paralympics once I’ve already gone by means of dropping a Paralympic remaining.
“I’ve bought to take some pleasure at getting by means of to the ultimate as lots of athletes dream of it and to get on that podium.”
It’s a silver medal for Dan! 🥈 What a Paralympic Video games you’ve made us all proud 🔥🦁🇬🇧❤#Paris2024 #ParalympicsGB pic.twitter.com/mCcXpnYk2E
— Badminton England (@BadmintonEnglnd) September 2, 2024
The rallies have been lengthy and so they have been momentous, with the La Chapelle Area on the sting of their seats because the longest of the match soared to an unimaginable 122 photographs earlier than Nitesh ultimately took the purpose.
Bethell pushed forward to a 7-5 lead however Nitesh pulled him again and went on to take opener 21-14.
Bethell fell behind within the second earlier than a late surge within the second sport noticed him overcome a four-point deficit and roar again into rivalry, thanking his household for giving him the push he wanted.
“It felt superb being in there with the environment,” he stated. “Having my family and friends there in comparison with Tokyo was good and so they actually helped me get again into the match once I was that far down.
“Half courtroom singles is the marathon occasion of Paralympic para badminton as there isn’t lots of room to hit profitable photographs in order that was the important thing factor.
“My coaches, credit score to them, recognised that the sport plan wasn’t working and have been telling me the entire manner by means of however I couldn’t execute it the best way I wanted to.”
With all to play for, Nitesh established leads of 17-12 and 19-17 within the decider however a decided Bethell rallied to take the sport right down to the wire, with each gamers having match factors in a breathless encounter earlier than Nitesh ultimately gained the day.
“You are able to do lots of coaching and do some psychology work however nothing can put together you for that and to have that gold medal level,” he stated.
“It’s a surreal expertise to undergo and the one approach to get higher at it’s to expertise it. It’s a disgrace I couldn’t convert the one I had. I used to be simply attempting to maintain myself focussed as on the finish, it was all psychological.”