Maud Lefort: Para-Badminton Star Sets Sights on Future Paralympic Games After Paris Debut
Val d’Oise, France — Maud lefort, a rising star in para-badminton, is setting her sights on future Paralympic Games after making her debut in Paris. the French athlete, currently ranked No. 5 in the world in her category, is balancing her athletic ambitions with her studies at EDHEC business school.
From Personal Challenge to Paralympic Stage
Lefort’s journey into para-badminton began after an accident at the age of eight affected the mobility of her left arm. “I had to give up playing basketball like my mother, who played nationally,” Lefort said. “I started badminton the following school year and immediately loved this vrey dynamic sport. You play it in singles, doubles, or mixed doubles, and you have to be fast, reactive, consistent, and enduring!”
Early Training and the Paris Paralympics
Supported by her coaches at US Ézanville-Écouen, Lefort joined the Pôle espoir at CREPS Île-de-France in Châtenay-Malabry during her third year of middle school, a training center for promising young athletes. This prepared her for her first Paralympic experience in paris. Although she didn’t advance beyond the group stage, facing the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 players in her opening matches, Lefort described the Games as an “unforgettable adventure.” she also noted the challenge of balancing the Games with her final exams, saying, “It was also the year of my baccalaureate… I couldn’t participate in all the competitions of the season, and I wasn’t completely at my best.”
Balancing Athletics and Academics
With her baccalaureate in hand, Lefort is now pursuing business studies online at EDHEC while continuing her training. “I’m discovering new disciplines,” she said. “I’m not necessarily planning to work in sports, but I want to pursue my dream as far as possible! Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032, I hope—we’ll see!” Lefort’s determination extends to both her athletic and academic pursuits.
Triumph in national championships
Before the Paralympics, Lefort achieved significant success, securing the title of European champion in para-badminton in 2023 and a bronze medal at the 2024 World Championships.Lefort’s success has also inspired her two brothers, ages 21 and 14. The younger athletes are now actively involved in regional badminton competitions.
Triple Crown at French National Championships
The year 2025 started strong for Lefort, with a triple victory at the French Championships in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles, underscoring her status as a top-tier athlete.
What specific challenges did Maud lefort face while balancing her para-badminton training with her academic pursuits,especially her baccalaureate exams?
Maud Lefort: para-Badminton Star – Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What category does Maud Lefort compete in,and what’s her current world ranking?
A: Maud Lefort competes in para-badminton and is currently ranked No. 5 in the world in her category. (The category is not specified, but it’s inferred from the context.)
Q: How did Maud lefort get into para-badminton?
A: An accident at age eight affected her left arm.Unable to continue playing basketball like her mother, she started badminton the following school year and found she loved the sport.
Q: What’s the importance of US Ézanville-Écouen and CREPS Île-de-France?
A: US Ézanville-Écouen is where she received early training. CREPS Île-de-France is a training center for young athletes, where she spent her third year of middle school, providing critical preparation for the Paralympics.
Q: How did she perform at the Paris Paralympics?
A: While it was her debut, she didn’t advance beyond the group stage, facing the world’s No. 2 and No. 3 players in her opening matches. She noted that the Games were an unforgettable adventure.
Q: What challenges did she face balancing the paralympics and her studies?
A: She was also preparing for her baccalaureate exams, which limited her participation in some competitions and affected her best performance.
Q: What are her academic pursuits, and how does she manage them with her training?
A: She’s pursuing online business studies at EDHEC. Her remote degree allows her to maintain her training schedule. She’s not necessarily planning to work in sports,but she is pursuing her dream as far as possible.
Q: What major titles has she won?
A: She is the 2023 European champion, won a bronze medal at the 2024 World championships, and achieved a triple victory at the 2025 French Championships in singles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
Q: What are her future goals?
A: She’s aiming for the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
Q: How has her success impacted her family?
A: Her success has inspired her two brothers, who are now involved in regional badminton competitions.
Q: What is the significance of her triple victory in 2025?
A: it underscored her status as a top-tier athlete.
Engaging Trivia: Maud had to give up playing basketball, like her mother, after her accident. However, her mother’s athletic background may have fueled her drive to succeed in badminton.
Actionable Advice: Like Maud, balance is key! Finding a sport or activity that challenges you physically and mentally, even after facing adversity, can lead to unbelievable achievements.
Maud Lefort’s story highlights the power of perseverance,adaptability,and the pursuit of dreams,whether on the badminton court or in the classroom.
