With three weeks until the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships, the New Zealand team is preparing for the journey to the Northern Marianas Islands.
Second seeds, the Kiwis bring a wealth of experience to the tournament.
Raphael Deloy, Josephine Zhao, and Leizhi Zhu are two-time World Junior Championships squad members. Between their appearances in Nanchang, China, and Spokane Washington, USA, the budding talents have ample experience in high-pressure situations.
Jay Xuan Tan, Olivia Yan, and Yanxi Liu were also selected for the New Zealand World Junior Team last year and proved themselves on the world stage.
This year’s squad for the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships is rounded out with first-timers Lillian Cao and Eric Lu. The pair bring fresh energy and excitement to the New Zealand squad, which should help the youngsters rise to the next level.
Raphael was also the only junior male selected in the New Zealand team for the VICTOR Oceania Championships (Josephine and Yanxi were also selected for the team).
We sat down with Raphael for a chat in the lead-up to the VOJC in June.
A Q&A with one of New Zealand’s rising stars
Raphael, thanks for meeting with us today! The VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships is fast approaching, are you feeling ready?
Yes! Ever since the team was announced time has gone by so quickly, so I’m really excited for it. Northern Marianas is a new place for me and it’s going to be quite interesting. Some of my friends from Australia are playing so I can’t wait to see them, catch up with them, and especially play them!
We’re curious, what is your preferred discipline?
I prefer doubles and mixed because I enjoy more of a faster-paced game. In doubles it’s not as much running but more agility and speed, I like being quick on my feet and getting to the shuttle quicker.
How did you get into the sport?
I got into the sport because of my parents. They say I started hitting the shuttle at three years old, but I didn’t take it seriously until the age of seven. I also played hockey, football and basketball but I found badminton more interesting so I focused on it more and more and my coaches always believed I would be able to go far in it.
Who has been influential so far in your badminton career?
Right now my idol is Seo Seung Jae from Korea. I like his play style and how smart he is on the court. But from a young age, it would have to be my coaches Rose and Sandra from Manawatu.
What are your goals for this tournament, this year, and beyond?
For Junior Oceania Champs, my goal is both individually and as a team to come first. My long-term goal is to make it to the Olympics either in 2028 or 2032!
More information about the VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships can be found here.
HEADER PHOTO CREDIT BWF/BadmintonPhoto
