Young Kiwi Starlets on the Front Line of Badminton Open

Young Kiwi Starlets on the Front Line of Skycity NZ Badminton Open

The SKYCITY New Zealand Badminton Open at the North Shore Events Centre this week (22 to 27 March) is not only a showpiece for the sport in New Zealand, one that is broadcast around the world, but it is an amazing chance for a group of local youngsters to get a taste of world class international competition – without having to leave the comfort of their own homes!

The Gold status Grand Prix event will see the greatest quality and depth ever assembled for a Badminton event in New Zealand, with an incredible 52 players or combinations boasting top 50 world rankings in their chosen disciplines (singles, doubles, mixed).

And in amongst them will be Oscar Guo (15 years old, Westlake Boys High), Tamara Otene (14, Westlake Girls High) and Nicco Tagle (19, former Westlake Boys High).

Guo is quite the prodigy who is fast emerging from the ‘junior’ category and into contention at any tournament he plays in Oceania, with a list of tournament wins the envy of players at the end of a 20 year career, the 15 year old last year became the youngest ever national champion in the history of the sport when he defeated former coach Brock Matheson in the final. Guo faces a step up this year with a place in the main draw proper, up against a Chinese Taipei player.

“I have played in the tournament before so I know how tough it is and I need to get used the courts and lights, but with that experience I should be able to use it to my advantage. It is exciting playing in the main round this year, and playing a Chinese Taipei player. Last year I played another New Zealander in TJ but this year I play an international player, which just adds to the occasion for me.

“I trained quite hard through the summer, I played the best I have in the Waikato tournament when losing to the 7th seed in the second round, but I have been training hard and working on my weaknesses. I was relaxed against a seeded player, as a result many of my shots were great with plenty of good rallies.”

For Tagle just being back on court at such a level is an achievement in itself, the 19 year old suffered a dislocated knee while playing in the Auckland International in September 2014 and has fought an amazing battle to regain full fitness and resume his most promising badminton career, a comeback that included his naming in the New Zealand team that won the recent Oceania Championships against great rival Australia.

Tagle is of Philippines descent and ironically has drawn the top player from that very nation in the first round of men’s singles action, with that match due to be played on Tuesday evening at the NSEC.

“I am pretty excited, this is the biggest competition we have in New Zealand, without having to travel away from home. The opportunity is great, my draw is full of high level players that I would not get to play otherwise. I am playing the number one player from the Philippines, which is where I am originally from so the family is pretty excited. It is a cool test for me – I wasn’t playing in the Philippines but to see how I go against their best is cool.”

Tagle also plays with an idol of his as he grew up and came through the ranks in the shape of leading New Zealand doubles exponent Oliver Leydon-Davis.

“I am very excited to play with Olly, he is our number one doubles player – while not based here everyone knows of his ability playing in Taiwan. It is exciting to play with someone who I looked up to as a junior. We have a big test ahead of us though, playing the top seeds in the first round. It will be the biggest challenge for me in my career so far, I am looking forward to it.”

Tagle will have great family support with Dad Vincent and partner Kath along with his sisters Alyssa and Francesca cheering from the sidelines – youngest sister Alyssa is herself part of the New Zealand Junior Squad.

14 year old Otene has the benefit of a first round appearance at last year’s SKYCITY NZ Open, the youngest in the main draw by some margin then, the Westlake Girls High student was beaten by Natsuki Nidaira (Japan), an experience that she will call upon in qualifying on Tuesday.

ENDS

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