David Toupe

Started: He began playing badminton at age 10. Following his skiing accident in 2003, he took up Para badminton in Garches, France. (lematin.ch, 13 Jun 2019; BadmintonWorld.tv YouTube channel, 29 Aug 2012) Reason: He discovered Para badminton following his accident at a rehabilitation centre. "I didn't think about returning to badminton after my accident, but I met some guys who practised it in a rehabilitation centre in Garches [France] and I joined them. I already had the racket skills. It was more learning how to control the wheelchair. It was long and complicated. But with time and training I finally made it." (lematin.ch, 13 Jun 2019; lilotbad.fr, 05 Mar 2012) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (Facebook profile, 17 May 2023) Milestones: He became the first French Para badminton player to win a world title when he claimed gold at the 2013 World Championships in Dortmund, Germany, playing alongside Germany's Thomas Wandschneider in the men's WH1 doubles. (equipedefrance.com, 2024; ouest-france.fr, 02 Jun 2021) Awards: He was a torch bearer as the Olympic Torch Relay made its way through Lourdes in the Hautes-Pyrenees department of France ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games. (LinkedIn profile, 20 May 2024) Additional Info: PIONEER He helped to develop Para badminton in France after recovering from his 2003 accident. "I did my own research just out of curiosity and I saw that there was an international federation but nothing in France. Being a physiotherapist and in a wheelchair, I told myself, 'If you don't do it, then who will?'" He went to the French national badminton federation but discovered there was no Para badminton infrastructure. In 2004, alongside the technical director of the Pays de Fougeres Badminton Club, Michael Erabit, he went to a tournament in the Netherlands and acquired information in order to develop Para badminton in France. A year later, a Para badminton commission was created in the French badminton federation. "The adventure started in 2004 where we introduced a wealth of information for badminton clubs, which allowed them to start introducing it. As it is very difficult to develop a sport without practising it, I entered into the game. In the 2010s, Para badminton became controlled by the BWF and that was a huge step. I kept playing and in 2013, playing alongside a German player [Thomas Wandschneider], I became the first French world champion. The sport wasn't developed enough in France for me to have a French doubles partner." (ouest-france.fr, 02 Jun 2021; badmintonjocondien.fr, 01 Jan 2018; letelegramme.fr, 16 Jan 2017; enroutepourrio.eu, 05 Dec 2014) FURTHER EDUCATION He has a master's degree in motricity and adaptation. "As part of my master's I worked at the French badminton federation, where I surveyed clubs and found that 80% did not know about Para badminton, but they were ready to welcome it." He also has a diploma in education and is a certified sports teacher. (ouest-france.fr, 02 Jun 2021; LinkedIn profile, 01 Jan 2018)