New Zealand's next generation of badminton talent is Cairo-bound. An eight-strong team will represent the country at the VICTOR BWF World Junior Championships 2026, with the Team Championships running 5 to 10 October and the Individual Championships from 11 to 17 October.
Meet the team
- Larry Li (North Harbour)
- Ben Rambaud (Counties Manukau)
- Eason Li (Counties Manukau)
- Jay Xuan Tan (Counties Manukau)
- Yanxi Liu (North Harbour)
- Natalie Ting (North Harbour)
- Amy Wang (North Harbour)
- Josephine Zhao (North Harbour)
Five of the eight players come from Badminton North Harbour, and the entire team is drawn from just two associations.
A young team with big results
This is a young team, and there is real quality in it. Amy Wang, Yanxi Liu and Natalie Ting are all senior national champions, with Yanxi also taking the mixed doubles title.
Leading the way in results is Amy, who has already represented New Zealand at the Australian Open Super 300. She is also heading to Dakar with Tony Yu for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.
Senior team experience runs through the group too. Yanxi, Amy and Josephine were named as junior prospects in New Zealand's Uber Cup squad earlier this year, all having delivered strong performances throughout 2025.
With a squad this young, these players are the future of New Zealand badminton, and Cairo is their chance to show the world.
A historic championship
This edition carries extra significance. It is only the second BWF Major Championship staged in Africa, and the first in 24 years, following South Africa's hosting in 2002.
Indonesia originally held the hosting rights but relinquished them, with the BWF naming Egypt as the new host. Matches will be played at the Cairo Stadium Indoor Halls Complex, in the 26th edition of the championships.
A fast and unforgiving format
The team event, the Suhandinata Cup, uses a relay scoring system that makes every point count. Each tie is played as best of three sets. In each set, men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles each contribute 11 points, building to 55.
Each player or pair hands the score on to the next discipline. A strong performance in one event can carry the whole team, and there is no hiding in any discipline. That depth across all five events will be key for a well-balanced New Zealand side.
The group stage will be tough. New Zealand has been drawn in Group C1 alongside Japan and Denmark. Last year in Guwahati, China claimed the team title with Indonesia runners-up.
After the team event, the players turn their attention to the individual championships.
Support the team
Competing on the world stage is a significant investment for these young athletes and their families. You can support them through their Givealittle pages:
Go well in Cairo, team!