Pictured: Louis Beaubois, Tahiti. Photo Credit: Samoa 2019 Pacific Games New Service
Tahiti’s Louis Beaubois and Teiva Politi are about to make history as they become the first competitors from the Pacific to compete in the BWF World Junior Championships. The only countries from Oceania to attend the prestigious event since its inception in 1992 are New Zealand and Australia.
Louis had made headlines this year following his impressive victories at VICTOR Oceania Championships and the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games. While he was knocked out before the final stages in the regional championships, the 17-year-old defeated more experienced and established players from the region.
Louis and Remi Rossi, Tahiti. Photo credit: Samoa 2019 Pacific Games News Service
Fast forward four months and Louis smashed his way onto the podium at the Samoa 2019 Pacific Games after winning the bronze medal match. His success rippled across the Pacific Ocean to his home country, where the sporting body capitalised on his success, finding a route into this year’s BWF World Junior Individual Championships in Kazan, Russia.
In the weeks leading up to the Russia, Beaubois joined fellow compatriot, Remi Rossi (runner-up in the Men’s Singles at the VICTOR Oceania Championships), and other top French players where he was exposed to higher competition and intense training sessions.
“I have done some good training sessions with the French players and I thank them for that.”
“I also took part in a tournament in France to judge my physical condition and my technique just before the big event – that was the advice from Remi”, says Louisa Beaubois.
Both Louis and Tevia’s inclusion in the event remains a pivotal moment for Oceania, reflecting on the development of players in the region and the optimism surrounding future star players from the Pacific Islands.
Moreover, the BWF World Junior Championships will be returning to New Zealand for the third time in 2020, in a climate which has made it more possible for juniors from the Pacific to enter the event than ever before. Louis hopes that his participation in 2019 can inspire those looking to take part next year.
“I hope that the Pacific will produce more players. Hopefully, my participation will motivate others to play and train more and believe they can take on the World stage one day”
This opportunity looks like the beginning of a much bigger story for the young Tahitian, who is thrilled to be taking part.
“I’m so excited to play here, I have trained a lot, thanks to my sponsors (F45 training, Tahiti Shop Badminton and Good Regen Tahiti). I will try once again to hive all my best”
The BWF World Junior Championships 2019 commences on Monday 7 October 2019 – follow the player’s results on Tournament Software.
