Para badminton rising star Jayci Simon aims to sparkle at LA28
Jayci Simon won the USA's first-ever para badminton medal at Paris 2024 and now hopes to go one better in front of a home crowd in two years' time. 01 Oct 2026
With less than two years to go until the LA28 Paralympic Games, Para badminton hotshot Jayci Simon has rekindled her spark and is gunning for “podium vibes only” in Los Angeles.
After claiming a silver medal, the USA’s first-ever Para badminton podium finish, in the mixed doubles SH6 event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Simon has had to grapple with some health issues and burnout.
She had an 18-month break from the gruelling international tournament schedule, while she did some soul-searching about whether she wanted to continue training. She needed to figure out how she could find enjoyment in the sport again. Learning to listen to her body and give it time to properly recover from a chronic injury was important because she realised she was unable to push herself as hard as she had in the past.
The time out helped Simon not only “ignite the flame again” but turn it into fire, rekindling her passion and motivation
Jayci Simon's Road to a Home Games🏸
'Igniting the flame again'
In February this year, she was back on court, claiming a silver medal in the women’s doubles SH6 event at the World Championships in Bahrain, teaming up with Egypt’s Yasmina Eissa. Mid-year, at the French Para Badminton International, she claimed third place in the women's singles SH6 category and gold in the women’s doubles, again with Eissa.
Looking ahead to a home Paralympics, Simon said she doesn’t feel as much pressure as she did before her first games.
“My goal... is just to be the best badminton player I can become,” said Simon, who competes in the SH6 class for athletes with short stature.
Preparations are going well and she has been incorporating valuable lessons from sports psychology to give her on-court performances the edge. She is also focusing more on nutrition and recovery.
“I’m excited that it will be home territory and a lot of my support system should be able to make the Games,” she said.
Preparing for a home Games
She discovered badminton at age 10 and found immense joy whacking shuttlecocks in her backyard.
“I want the world to know about Para badminton,” she said, adding she hopes to increase awareness about the sport in the US.
She says it was a game-changer for her to discover Para badminton. It has helped her feel accepted for who she is.
“It is the biggest blessing that has allowed me to shift my perspective. I’ve learned to roll with the punches. Not everything is in your control, but you can control how you react to it,” she wrote on Facebook last year.
Her silver medal with teammate Miles Krajewski at Paris 2024 will forever be a moment etched in her mind, but she’s looking forward to making new memories at LA28.
“Every time I walked out on the court (in Paris), there were goosebumps down my spine because the crowd were just so loud,” she said.
“Get ready for the LA Games. I can’t wait. I’m excited to see you there.”
The LA28 Paralympic Games, which take place from 15-27 August 2028, will feature 16 Para badminton medal events.
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