Oceania Athletes Open Their Campaign at the World Championships
The TotalEnergies BWF World Championships have officially begun in Paris, igniting a week of top-tier badminton action on the sport’s grandest stage. Among the global contenders, eight athletes from Oceania stepped up to the occasion, ready to test their skills against the world’s best. For six of them, this marks a career-defining debut, an inspiring moment not only for the players themselves but for the region they represent, signaling a new wave of talent emerging from our area’s badminton community.
Men’s Singles – Yu and Lau Take on Top Seeds
Photo credit: BWF/Badminton Photo
Australia’s Jack Yu was the first Oceania athlete on court, facing China’s 16th seed Weng Hong Yang in the Men’s Singles. Despite a spirited effort, Yu was outplayed 7–21, 12–21 by the in-form Chinese player.
New Zealand’s Edward Lau also had a challenging opener, going down 13–21, 2–21 to Canada’s Victor Lai.
Men’s Doubles – Edison and Yu Face French Firepower
Photo credit: BWF/Badminton Photo
Later in the day, Yu returned to the court alongside Keith Edison in the Men’s Doubles. The Australian pair faced the experienced French duo Christo and Toma Junior Popov, and while they showed moments of promise, they were ultimately defeated 12–21, 17–21.
“We struggled a bit in the first game to find our rhythm because we are both singles players and don’t train together. We played better in the second but it was a little too late by that point.” said Edison. “For me, it’s been a big milestone in my playing career, although we lost I enjoyed the game.”
Women’s Doubles – Somerville and Yu Secure Oceania’s First Win
Photo credit: BWF/Badminton Photo
A highlight for the region came in the Women’s Doubles, where Gronya Somerville and Angela Yu claimed Oceania’s first win of the tournament. The Australian duo edged out Thailand’s Laksika Kanlaha and Phataimas Muenwong in a tightly contested match, 22-20, 17-21, 21-11.
“At the start we were just feeling them out, we haven’t played against this pair before, so it was a bit slow going,” said Somerville following the match. “By the end we figured out our tactic more and that’s why we were able to get away in the third set.”
Women’s Singles – Ho Battles Bayrak
Photo credit: BWF/Badminton Photo
Australia’s Tiffany Ho took on Turkey’s Ozge Bayrak in the Women’s Singles Round of 64. Despite a determined effort, Ho was defeated 10–21, 14–21.
International Highlights: Major Seeds Fall on Opening Day
Jeon Hyeok Jin Defeats Olympic Medallist Lee Zii Jia
One of the most talked-about results of the day came in the Men’s Singles, where Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin defeated Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia, the 2024 Olympic bronze medallist, in straight games: 21–17, 21–11. Jeon, who was the top seed at the CROWNE PLAZA Northern Marianas Open earlier this year, looked composed and clinical throughout. For Lee, this was his first match back after a five-month injury lay-off.
Tanaka Upsets Fourth Seed Li Shi Feng
Japan’s Yushi Tanaka delivered another major upset, defeating China’s Li Shi Feng, the tournament’s fourth seed, in a three-game battle: 19–21, 21–11, 21–15. Tanaka’s tactical precision and relentless pace proved decisive, sending one of the title favourites out in the opening round.
Looking Ahead: Day 2 Matches for Oceania
Day 2 features more Oceania athletes in action:
- Edward Lau and Shaunna Li (New Zealand) will face Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson (Scotland) in the Mixed Doubles.
- Bernice Teoh (Australia) will take on Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi, the tournament’s fifth seed, in the Women’s Singles.
As the competition intensifies, Oceania’s athletes continue to gain valuable experience and showcase their talent on badminton’s biggest stage.
