The two players have had an impressive record in their badminton careers. Shaunna Li was the youngest player to obtain the Women's Singles Oceania title when she was 19 in Auckland, New Zealand, and has gone on to become a three-time Oceania Women's Singles champion, successfully defending her title in both 2025 and 2026.
Edward Lau has also had an impressive record of Oceania titles, winning the Men's Singles crown in 2022 and 2024, with runner-up finishes in 2023, 2025, and 2026. Leading up to the World Championships, Edward Lau gained not only one but two national champion titles last month at his homeground Badminton North Harbour: Men's Singles Champion and Men's Doubles Champion with Raphael Deloy.
The 2026 BWF World Championships will be held at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi, India, from 17 to 23 August, marking the 30th edition of the tournament and the first time it has returned to India in 17 years.
Together, Edward and Shaunna have also twice finished runner-up in Oceania Mixed Doubles, in 2024 and 2025.
Edward Lau will be facing Ng Ka Long Angus from Hong Kong in Men's Singles.
Shaunna Li will be facing Dounia Pelupessy from Switzerland in Women's Singles.
The pair will be playing Alexander Dunn and Julie Macpherson from Scotland in mixed doubles. This will be a rematch from last year's World Championships.
We look forward to seeing Edward and Shaunna play. Go Kiwis!
