It’s championship week and team Guam is ready to compete for the VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Team title.
With a mix of newcomers and experienced players, the Guam squad has a unique advantage over some of its competitors in Saipan.
Four of their players – Chen Yang Hu, Allan Zeng, Kristine Deng, and Yu Xuan Xia have experience competing in grade three competitions.
Over the last two years, the quartet has played in both the Crowne Plaza Northern Marianas Open and the DOVE Saipan International. These appearances at high-level competitions have equipped these youngsters with the necessary experience to know how to manage their nerves and execute under pressure.
Allan, Yu Xuan, and Kristine were also a part of the Guam team that competed in the Pacific U17 Invitation Team Challenge in Geelong in 2024.
Newcomers Phillip Noret, Derrick Yan, and Offeia Yordy will be looking to make their mark on their international debuts.
Allan travelled to Thailand last year as a member of our Pacific development programme. We sat down with him ahead of the VICTOR Oceania Championships to find out more about his approach to competition.
Are you excited about the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships next week?
Of course! It’s a chance for me and my team to show off months of practice and hard work on a much bigger stage than we can on our island. I think I’m most looking forward to our matches against the Saipan team, as we know they are usually our closest and biggest competitor.
Why do you play badminton?
The thing I love about badminton is not only its exhilarating physical battle, but starting from a certain skill level, it also becomes a battle of wits and strategy. There truly is no feeling like winning a long rally against a good opponent.
How did you first get involved in the sport?
From a young age, it was my cousin that introduced me, and then my parents who played with me outside our apartment’s parking lot. It wasn’t until a formal badminton gym had been built on our island that I started seriously training. As of 2025, I think I’ve played seriously for about 6 or 7 years now.
What’s your favourite discipline?
I’ve been asked many times, but I can’t really seem to choose, but if I had to pick, it would be singles. While the pace is slower than normal doubles, there’s definitely stamina and a lot of strategic thinking involved, and it becomes a personal duel between you and your opponent.
What are your goals for the future?
My biggest goal is to represent my island and achieve a good outcome in international competitions, but I also want to be able to see myself playing this ten, twenty years down the road. I hope badminton becomes an enduring part of my life.
More information about the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships can be found here.
