The final day of the VICTOR Oceania Men’s and Women’s Team Championships lived up to every expectation. With nearly every match in the gold medal ties going the distance, here’s your recap of the most anticipated ties of the tournament.
Women’s Gold Medal Match
First up was a rematch of the women’s singles finals of Thursday’s individual championships. Shaunna Li (NZL) dominated the first game, but Tiffany Ho (AUS) looked composed as she returned to the court in the second. WIth newfound energy, Ho pushed the Oceania WS Champion throughout the entire rest of the match. However, she could not topple the Kiwi ace. Shaunna secured the first win of the tie for New Zealand, 21-13, 21-19.
Next up was a battle of the rising stars, with Oceania Junior Singles Champion, Faye Huo (AUS) taking on 14-year-old Amy Wang (NZL). Huo controlled the tempo from the get-go, storming to a 21-11 first game win. Wang found her footing in the second, but couldn’t quite seal the deal. Faye Huo won the match with a 22-20 second game win.
The momemtum of the tie hinged on the third singles, whoever won would put their team one step closer to glory. Both Jesslyn Carrisia (AUS) and Josephine Zhao (NZL) stepped on to the court ready to fight. Zhao pushed to an early lead, but Carrisia swooped in in the late stages to take the first game. In the second, Carrisia went from strength to strength, pressuring her opponent relentlessly. In the end, a few unforced errors from Zhao proved to be the difference, and Australia surged to a 2-1 tie lead.
The first doubles match gave Australia their first opportunity to clinch the title. Faye Huo returned to the court with Gronya Somerville to play Natalie Ting/Camellia Zhou (NZL). In a hotly contest match, Somerville’s experience and guidance helped the Australian pair to victory. Their 21-18, 19-21, 21-17 win cememented the Falcons as the VICTOR Oceania Women’s Team Champions for 2026.
Jesslyn Carrisia/Angela Yu took to the court in the final match of the day to face Shaunna Li/Laura Lin. Although Australia had already won the team title, that didn’t stop Li/Lin from pushing their opponents to their limits. Yet, depsite the Kiwis’ best effort, the pair fell just short of the win. Final score 21-14, 17-21, 22-20.
Today’s win is Australia’s 8th consecutive women’s team title. New Zealand finished with the silver medal, while Tahiti rounded out the podium after a strong 5-0 performance over New Caledonia today.
Australia’s gold medal also doubles as their ticket to the BWF World Women’s Team Championships held in Denmark later this year.
Men’s Gold Medal Match
Everyone had been waiting for the first match today. After Edward Lau (NZL) retired from the VICTOR Oceania Championships last year, spectators and players alike have eagerly awaited for him to face the 2025 MS Oceania Champion, Jack Yu (AUS). The match did not disappoint. Over 65 minutes, the lead changed several times. In the end, it was the Kiwi that found the extra gear to push to victory, kicking New Zealand’s campaign into action.
Raphael Deloy/Adam Jeffrey (NZL) faced the tall task of taking on Andika Ramadiansyah/Frederick Zhao (AUS). After falling behind quickly in the first game, the Kiwis mounted a mammoth effort to get themselves back in the match. With a late surge in both the second and third games, they looked poised to finish the job. Unfortunately for them, the Australians had other plans. After three game points, Ramadiansyah/Zhao finally put their country on the scoreboard with a 21-15, 17-21, 23-21 win.
The second singles match between Chris Benzie (NZL) and Ephraim Stephen Sam (AUS) was a competition of who could suffer the most. With taxing rallies and rising heat, both players were left with their hands on their knees after each rally. Over three games, Stephen Sam refused to count himself out. Everytime Benzie closed in on him, the Australian found another way to push through. After 51 minutes and a valiant effort from both sides of the court, Stephen Sam served for the final time to take Australia up 2-1. Match score: 21-18, 16-21, 21-16.
Much like the women’s team, the Australia men’s team managed to clinch the title in the fourth match. Rizky Hidayat/Jack Yu (AUS) withstood the unrelenting pair of Dylan Soedjasa/Vincent Tao (NZL) to clutch up for the win. In a thrilling match, the Australian pair bested their opponents 21-18, 21-17.
The last match of the day proved to be just as gripping as the previous ones. Newly crowned Oceania MS Champion, Shrey Dhand (AUS) took to the court to face Ricky Cheng (NZL) in a final test. Cheng forced Dhand to work for every single point, and should be proud of his performance despite the 23-21, 21-17 result.
It took 5 hours, but today’s tie win delivered Australia their fourth consecutive men’s team title and qualifies them for this year’s BWF World Men’s Team Championships. New Zealand finished the tournament with the silver medal and Tahiti’s 5-0 win over Northern Mariana Islands earns them the bronze.
