Amid the gold medal triumphs at the VICTOR Oceania Para Badminton Championships on Sunday, history was quietly written by two emerging nations.
In the Australian city of Bendigo, Jacklynda Molidu captured Vanuatu’s first-ever Para badminton medal – bronze in SH6 women’s singles – to mark a milestone for her country. Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea’s Regina Edward teamed up with New Zealander Thomas Slade to win gold in the SL3–SU5 mixed doubles, making Edward the first female Para badminton medallist from PNG.
Edward said: “I’m very proud because it’s my first time getting a medal.”
Slade enjoyed a dominant tournament, also taking gold in the SL4+SU5 men’s singles and the SL3–SL4+SU5 men’s doubles. His compatriot Rishikesh Venu added to New Zealand’s medal tally with a hard-fought win in the SL3 men’s singles final, overcoming Australia’s Riley Foster 9–21 21–12 21–7.
Wojtek Czyz – a Paralympian and coach of the Papua New Guinea team – praised the athletes and the tournament’s inclusive spirit. The event was held alongside the YONEX Bendigo International for able-bodied players, offering a unified celebration of the sport.
“I saw the potential and now I’m just enjoying it. I’m absolutely passionate – I do it because I love it, and I love these guys,” he said. “To celebrate a win and see the tears on their faces, it’s incredible.
“What I really value is Badminton Oceania and Badminton Australia taking the next step – two tournaments together, able-bodied and Para athletes. That’s the next level, that’s inclusion. This is where we want to be. This is where we need to go.”
The championship concluded with all five participating countries earning at least one medal – a testament to the growing strength and reach of Para badminton across Oceania.
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