British Army badminton players falter against French forces in cross-channel contest

The British Army badminton team reignited their on-court rivalry with an international clash against the top players from the French military.

Following last year's encounter in France, the British Army welcomed their cross-channel rivals to Aldershot for a 15-match contest. The teams faced each other in men's and women's singles, men's and women's doubles, plus mixed doubles.

One of the highlights was the match between home favourite Private Bishal Babu Khadka and Meril Loquette. The Frenchman works as a civil servant for the Ministry of Armed Forces and is a two-time para-badminton European champion and a veteran of the Tokyo Paralympic Games.

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In a pulsating encounter, Khadkha, who has represented Nepal on the international stage, took the opening game 21-9. But Loquette, who won his latest European Para badminton title in the men's singles SU5 event in October, roared back into the clash, winning 7-21 to force a deciding game.

The tension intensified with the pair producing a thrilling, high-class performance, before Khadka closed out the match 21-16 to secure victory two games to one. 

Following his win, Khadka said: "I knew he is the current world number two in para badminton, so he's quite an experienced player. I was excited to play him. It was a great win, yeah."

The home side would enjoy just one more win across the event, eventually losing the fixture 13 rubbers to two.

It was a mixed day for British Army women's number one, Captain Keady Smith. The former Ireland junior international lost her singles match against French rival Laura Moine 21-12, 21-14. But Smith and her partner Imogen Storey did enjoy success in one of their doubles matches.

Afterwards, Birmingham-based pharmacist, Smith said: "We played the French last year on their home soil, so we knew that what we were going into was pretty tough, but we're always up for a challenge and ready to try our best for the Army."

The Army now look forward to preparing to face the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force at the Inter Service championships in March next year. But first up for many of the Army players, it's the Inter Corps championship; they take place early in the new year.