Two of New Zealand’s junior stars depart today for the 2026 U16 Shonai International Invitational in Tsuruoka, Japan, where they will take part in a training camp before competing against some of the world’s leading junior badminton players.
Representing New Zealand are Amy Wang (North Harbour) and Ben Rambaud (Counties), accompanied by coach Kenneth Yew.
Amy heads to Japan in excellent form after a solid performance at the 2026 New Zealand U19 National Championships, where she claimed the Women’s Singles title and finished runner-up in the Women’s Doubles alongside Josephine Zhao. Returning to Shonai for a second consecutive year, Amy will be looking to build on last year’s impressive campaign, where she advanced to the Championship quarterfinals.
“I’m feeling really honoured and excited to be able to represent New Zealand and play against top players from different countries.”
Ben will make his Shonai debut after earning selection to represent New Zealand in the junior international event. The tournament provides a great opportunity for young athletes to compete against some of the world’s strongest junior players while gaining international experience both on and off the court.
For Kenneth Yew, the trip marks his third visit to Shonai as New Zealand’s coach. Drawing on his previous experiences, he is looking forward to helping Amy and Ben make the most of the opportunity.
“I’m honoured to be heading back to Shonai again this year. The last two trips have given me a great perspective on where we sit compared to some of the world’s strongest badminton nations. It was clear how vital preparation, mental toughness, and tactical awareness are to success, so I’m looking forward to drawing on those experiences to help Ben and Amy perform at their very best.”
Follow Badminton New Zealand’s social media channels throughout the week as Amy and Ben compete at the 2026 U16 Shonai International Invitational in Japan. Match updates, photos, and daily recaps will be shared throughout the event.