International para-badminton tournament begins

MORE than 150 athletes, team officials, technical officials, event administrators and volunteers from more than 20 countries have descended on Geelong for the Australia Para- Badminton International and VICTOR Oceania Para-Badminton Championships.

The event, being held at the Leisuretime Sports Precinct in Norlane, began on Tuesday this week and runs until Tuesday, November 27.

More than 20 Australians will be taking on the rest of the world at both events, including Australian para-badminton national champions Caitlin Dransfield and Luke Missen.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to compete at an international event so close to home,” Missen said.

Dransfield said she looked forward to testing herself against some of the best in the world ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic qualifying period.

Also playing is Korea’s Kim Jung Jun and Japan’s Ayako Suzuki, who are accomplished elite athletes, both reigning world champions in WH2 men’s singles and SU5 women’s singles, respectively.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) is also hosting a national and international level classifier course during the events, bringing sport physiotherapists and other medical professionals to the event to learn about para-badminton, its classification systems and procedures.

BWF has appointed several para-badminton experts including referees, technical delegate, umpires and classifiers who will all work alongside Oceania personnel to upskill and further enhance their knowledge with some of technical officials potentially being selected for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

BWF Oceania vice-president Geraldine Brown said the courses will help strengthen para-badminton development and support the region’s player pathways.

Sports fans are welcome to watch the events for free at the Leisuretime Sports Precinct, while anyone wanting to volunteer at the events is encouraged to contact Badminton Australia at badminton.org.au.