The Cook Islands badminton team has arrived in Saipan with a quiet confidence, ready to take on the region’s best at the Victor Oceania Junior Championships 2025. Representing one of the smaller nations in the tournament, the team brings a mix of experience and determination, having sharpened their skills at the 2024 BWF World Junior Championships. Five of the six team members—Kaiyin Mataio, Edward Patai, Makea Pauka, Lana Toa, and Te Pa O Te Rangi Tupa—were part of that squad, while Arihoia Sprague-Marsters made her mark in the 2024 Victor Oceania Women’s Team Championships. Their journey to Saipan has been fueled by a strong sense of purpose, knowing that every match is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and showcase their talent on an international stage. Leading the team’s efforts behind the scenes is Manager Ahkim Tikaroa, whose unwavering support and organizational skills have kept the squad focused and prepared, along with Coach Ngaoa Ranginui, whose strategic insights and mentorship have been instrumental in developing the players’ techniques.
Among the standout players, Te Pa O Te Rangi Tupa is eager to test herself against tough competition, viewing each match as a stepping stone toward greater success. She has already made waves in the badminton world, showing her strength in both singles and doubles play. Tupa’s passion for the sport, which began at the age of seven, is evident in her love for the fast-paced nature of badminton and the strategic teamwork involved in doubles matches. As the tournament unfolds, the Cook Islands team is set to make their presence felt, proving that skill, determination, and a deep love for the game can overcome any challenge.
Beyond their individual talents, the Cook Islands squad thrives on teamwork and mutual encouragement, fostering a strong sense of unity that has carried them through rigorous training sessions and past competitions. Their preparation for the Victor Oceania Junior Championships 2025 has been marked by intense drills, strategic planning, and mental resilience exercises—all aimed at sharpening their skills and strengthening their bond as a team. Despite being considered underdogs in a tournament dominated by larger nations, the players embrace the challenge, viewing it as an opportunity to prove their capabilities and inspire the next generation of Cook Islands athletes. With unwavering determination and a deep love for the sport, they step onto the courts in Saipan not just as competitors but as proud representatives of their homeland, supported every step of the way by Manager Ahkim Tikaroa and Coach Ngaoa Ranginui. Photos courtesy of Northern Mariana Badminton
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