Meet Team New Zealand Under-19s about to compete at Trans-Tasman Challenge 2022

What was your journey into badminton?

I’ve been playing badminton for 8 years already.  It was just all just for fun before then.  I was 7 years old when I made the decision to play seriously and join competitions. The succeeding years were tough and fulfilling at the same time.  Those were my steps that lead me to where I am now today.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite badminton player is Victor Axelsen.  He trains really hard.  What he does and everything that he has achieved so far pushes me to work hard as well.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

My ultimate goal is to play in the Olympics and win it.  Everything else is secondary.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

• Male MVP in the New Zealand Junior Badminton League held in June 2022.  I was part of Sharks team!
• Ranked #1 player in U13 (2019) and U15 (2021)  –  affiliated to Waikato Badminton Association
• Triple Crown in U13 National Championships (2019)  –  also affiliated to Waikato Badminton Association

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

I enjoy swimming.  I play competitive volleyball as well (School team – Hamilton Boy’s High School.

What was your journey into badminton?

I have been playing badminton for 7 years now and my journey into badminton allowed me to look after my weight and keep fit when I was younger.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite badminton player is Yuta Watanabe because of his creativity and shot quality alongside his speed on court.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

My ambitions would be to be competitive at the highest level like the Commonwealth Games and World Junior Championships, yet also to stay fit and enjoy my badminton.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

I’ve represented the regional Badminton Waitakere team in National tournaments from Juniors to Seniors alongside being in the NZ National squad. I’ve reached finals and semi finals of many national tournaments and one of my greatest achievements is winning Nationals u15 Mixed Doubles.

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

I enjoy cooking, golf and occasionally playing music. Also, I love Chelsea Football Club!

What was your journey into badminton?

I have been playing badminton since I was 6 years old. I started playing at local junior clubs and later on represented the North Harbour Association. I started playing competitively when I was 8.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite badminton player is Yuta Watanabe from Japan. He’s my biggest inspiration because of his playstyle, i like his quick footwork and quick reflexes.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

In the future, my goal is to play international tournaments and further represent my country.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

Every year I represent my association’s age group for the National Championships in Palmerston North. Individually, I have had national titles since u13. I am proud to be part of the Badminton u17 National Squad and represent New Zealand. Currently I am ranked first in singles and mixed doubles in under 17.

Recently, I represented my high school and our team won the National Title for Secondary Schools National Championships.

I was also selected to play in the Senior Team Event, the Wisden Cup 2022. I was one of the youngest players who participated in the event.

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

Outside badminton, I enjoy hanging out with my mates, playing video games like Valorant and playing social basketball.

What was your journey into badminton?

I’ve been playing badminton since I was maybe 5 as both parents played which got me into the sport at an early age.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite badminton player is Lee Chong Wei as his composure and speed on court is such a high level which helps inspire me to stay focussed whilst also ready on court.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

My long term ambitions in badminton are to represent New Zealand at a commonwealth or olympic level, and hopefully branch out further to play tournaments overseas.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

• Attending training camp in Thailand with Badminton Oceania
• New Zealand Under 17 National Champion, two years in a row
• NZ Tour 2022 – Men’s Singles Runner Up
• Training and playing with Lee Hyun Il former world number 1

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

A few things that I enjoy doing off court are going to the gym, socialising with mates, and occasional video games.

What was your journey into badminton?

I have played badminton for 7 years and was significantly influenced by my mother, who is a badminton coach. I spent most of my childhood in the badminton hall and thus, slowly grew interest in the sport as I became older.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

Hirota/Fukushima (Japan women’s doubles pair) because they’re really patient and smart, and always looking for the right moment to attack.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

To represent New Zealand in the Olympics and Commonwealth Games, and on international stages.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

• New Zealand Representative- Pembangunan Jaya Raya Junior Grand Prix, and training camp in Indonesia
• 2020 Badminton New Zealand U17 National Championships; Mixed Doubles champion
• 2020 Badminton North Harbour U19 Open; Women’s Doubles champion
• 2022 Badminton North Harbour U19 Open; Women’s Doubles champion
• 2022 NZ Tour Finals; Women’s Doubles champion
• 2022 Badminton New Zealand National Championships; Women’s Double’s champion

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

I enjoy trying out new foods and catching up with my friends and family. Definitely relaxing at home though.

What was your journey into badminton?

I’ve been playing badminton since I was nine years old, so about six years now. The reason I started playing was mainly because of my parents compassion for badminton. From when I was younger I always watched them play and that largely influenced my will to start playing as well.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

Mia Blichfeldt (Denmark) is one of my favorite women singles players who shows her love and passion for badminton. I’ve always inspired her attitude on court and I’ve watched her play since I started badminton. I see her love and potential for badminton and aspire to be like her. Even though she hasn’t won any big tournaments recently due to her injuries, she still fights and work hard to achieve what she wants to achieve which is one of her traits that I look up to.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

To play at the Olympics, common wealth games and other international tournaments where I can represent my country.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

• 2020 New Zealand U15 National Championships; Mixed Doubles Champion
• 2021 NI Bay Of Plenty U15 Open; Girls Singles, Girls Doubles, and Mixed Doubles Champion
• 2022 Waitakere U17 Open; Mixed Doubles Champion
• 2022 North Harbour U19 Open; Mixed Doubles Champion
• 2022 Counties Manukau U17 Open; Girls Doubles Champion

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

I enjoy spending time on other physical activities, such as gym and boxing. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends as well as eating and trying yummy foods.

What was your journey into badminton?

I’ve been playing badminton for 8 years. I started when a family friend encouraged my older sister to trial for waikatos development squad, which I tagged along to and really wanted to play as well. The next session I trialled as well and they let me in because they needed more young girls.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite players are Tai Tzu Ying for women’s singles and Huang Ya Qiong for mixed doubles. I really admire Tai Tzu Ying’s range of shots and deception and Huang Ya Qiong’s ability to dominate at the net.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

My long term aspirations include world junior champs, and youth olympics, mainly just representing NZ in a big international event.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

I achieved my first senior title this year – women’s singles NZ tour open champion held at Wellington North Badminton Stadium. As of this year, I have represented Waikato 3 times at the Slazenger/Wisden cup in which we won the slaz division this year. I was also girl’s singles champion, and mixed doubles and doubles runner up at north harbour u19 this year.

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

Off court I enjoy writing music and trying new food places with friends.

What was your journey into badminton?

I was originally forced to start playing this sport and have now played for 6 years.

Who is your favourite badminton player and why?

My favourite badminton player is Huang Ya Qiong as I admire her awareness on the court.

What are your longer-term ambitions in badminton?

My longer-term ambition would be to represent NZ overseas and do well in a tournament.

What are your biggest achievements so far?

I have played for Waitakere and now am currently representing North Harbour. Some results from this year are girls doubles champion and mixed champion in u17 at different tournaments.

What do you enjoy doing off the badminton court?

Some of my hobbies out of badminton are baking, watching drama/shows, going out with friends.