The BAHRAIN BWF Para Badminton World Championships is filled with firsts for our Oceania contingent. For many players, it’s their first time playing on the world stage, and for one in particular, it marks a momentous occasion for Para Badminton in the Pacific.
Jacklynda Molidu is one of one. The first player from the Pacific to compete at the world championships. The first to don the Vanuatu flag at a major badminton event (Para or able bodied). In her opening SH6 women’s singles match overnight, she narrowly lost to her experienced opponent Rachana Shaileshkumar Patel 21-14, 9-21, 18-21.
“Representing Vanuatu and our region is a proud moment for me,” she told BWF. “Although I lost, I’m happy I took a game off an inexperienced player. I feel like I’ve really improved in the last year.”
Rishikesh Venu has also experienced an exponential rise in the sport. Despite playing at his local club for a long time, he only discovered Para Badminton in 2024. In just over a year, the Kiwi travelled to his first international tournaments and won matches. Overnight he secured his first win at the world championships, with a strong 22-20, 21-12 victory against Bulgaria’s Dimitar Pavlov.
Macka Mackenzie (AUS) also shook up the draw with her 21-7, 21-5 win over India’s Nirmala Devi. Mackenzie secured her first international singles win at the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships last October, and now can add a win at the biggest bi-annual para badminton tournament to her list.
Other notable results include:
- Caitlin Dransfield vs. Adriane Spinetti Avila: 21-4, 21-8
- Celine Vinot vs. Sanjana Kumari: 21-8, 21:10
- Katelyn Colley vs. binti Mohamad Zamberi Nurzammiezatul Syafiqqah: 11-21, 21-18, 21-18.
- Grant Manzoney vs. Jan-Gerriet Janssen: 21-8, 18-21, 21-11
- Bree Wright vs. Rooba Alomari: 21-8, 21-9
- Qambar Ali Akhteyari vs. Ashley Irenaeus Jeck: 15-21, 21-9, 21-14
- Mischa Ginns/Bree Wright vs. Ana Gomes/Daniele Torres Souza: 19-21, 21-16, 21-19.
For full results and tomorrow’s schedule, click here.
