**USA Para Badminton Duo Wins Historic Silver Medal at Paralympics**
PARIS — Jayci Simon and Miles Krajewski made history at the Paralympics, winning the silver medal in mixed doubles SH6, marking the United States’ first Paralympic medal in para badminton. Despite travel delays from Atlanta and a demanding match schedule, the 19-year-olds showcased resilience, playing six matches in three days.
– **Match Highlights:**
– Faced China’s Naili Lin and Fengmei Li in the finals, ranked No. 5 globally.
– Lost 2-0, with set scores of 21-14 and 21-12.
– **Team Mindset:**
– Krajewski: “We knew we had a chance to win it all.”
– Simon: Embraced their underdog status, focusing on getting to the finals.
– **Future Aspirations:**
– Hopes to inspire growth in para badminton in the U.S.
– Krajewski and Simon aim to ease back into college as Paralympic medalists, looking forward to enhancing the sport’s popularity.
– Coach Abhishek Ahlawat emphasizes the potential for increased funding and interest in badminton, both para and able-bodied.
Download the USA TODAY app for more news and updates.