The 2026 Asian University Badminton Championship Kicks Off in Taipei 

The 2026 Asian University Badminton Championship (AUC Badminton) officially commenced today, running from June 10th to the 14th in the Taipei Gymnasium. Returning to Chinese Taipei after a seven-year absence, the Asian University Badminton Championship brings together 130 athletes from 11 countries and regions, including the host, Chinese Taipei, as well as Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Thailand.

Lin Kuan-Ting, the athlete representative for the oath-taking ceremony, said: “Playing at home this time is very convenient. We are so familiar with the Taipei Gymnasium, and everyone plays here very often. We are already fully adapted to the court, which counts as a small advantage for us.”

ALHARBI Shaima Abdulrahman O, representing King Abdulaziz University, said this is her first time participating in the Asian University Badminton Championship. She said: “It is my pleasure and I'm happy to be part of this tournament. Also, this is my first time visiting Taipei, and I’m enjoying everything here.”

Mak Pak Ngai from the City University of Hong Kong, who had participated in the 2019 AUC, said: “Knowing that our opponents are incredibly strong, we've really intensified our training.” 

Joining him is fellow City University of Hong Kong student Chan Cheuk Lok. Despite holding an impressive spot in the top 100 of the BWF Mixed Doubles World Rankings, Chan's focus remains purely on the process. “I just want to train well every single day," he stated. "The ultimate goal is simply to leave the court with no regrets.”

Rising Stars Ready to Shine at the 2026 Asian University Badminton Championship 

The 2026 Asian University Badminton Championship in Taipei is not only a championship but also an opportunity for many young stars to break out. Many athletes will finish their national team debut at the 2026 AUC Badminton. Most rising stars are experiencing both excitement and nervous anticipation.

For the Singaporean team, stepping onto the international court is an unforgettable moment. KAT Zi Jie Kenneth, representing the National University of Singapore, shared his mindset about his debut. "I will play with eager anticipation," he said. "I just hope we can keep the level of play we've achieved in our training on the court. That alone would make me very happy."

His teammate, LAI Zong Yi from Nanyang Technological University, couldn't hide his enthusiasm about the international tournament. "For me, it is a mix of happiness, excitement, and anticipation," Lai said. "It's my first time participating in such a large-scale sporting event where all these countries come together to compete. I am truly excited and looking forward to it."

Athletes from other countries, such as the Philippines, also experience this feeling. Although the Philippine team did not participate in the team events, they attended the opening ceremony. John Benedict Oliveros, from De La Salle University Dasmarinas, talked about his preparation for his first international competition. "We went through a lot of training and joined local tournaments in the Philippines to prepare for this," Oliveros noted. "I feel more excited than nervous, but at the same time, there is that nervousness about how we will compete at the international level. Overall, we are just excited to see how we perform here."

As the AUC Badminton progresses, these debutants are ready to transform their nervous energy into energy, eager to showcase their hard work and make their countries proud on this stage.