2026 PARA BADMINTON
INTERVIEW WITH ANNA HIKA, SOUTHLANDS PARA BADMINTON NEW ZEALAND TEAM MEMBER
What did it mean to you to represent New Zealand at the Para Badminton event in Bahrain?
It meant a lot to me, something I had never really thought about or imagined. But representing New Zealand was really special. It made me feel proud and has also inspired me to show others what’s possible in para badminton.
Was there a moment during the tournament that really stood out or felt surreal?
A few moments really stood out for me. Walking into the stadium on the first day and seeing players from all over the world was amazing. Playing my first match at a World Championships was definitely a highlight.
How do you feel about your performance overall?
Competing alongside the world’s best para badminton players was an awesome learning experience. I’m really happy with how I played and proud of myself for competing at such a high level. Instead of focusing on the score, I spent time thinking about how I played and what I needed to work on to improve. This experience has given me a better idea of what I need to focus on moving forward.
What motivates you to keep pushing yourself in para badminton?
Seeing and meeting athletes from all over the world competing with different abilities is really inspiring. Watching them play at such a high level was eye-opening — their intensity, skill, and determination showed me what’s possible and gave me a lot of motivation for what I can achieve. Being part of the para badminton community and seeing what’s possible keeps me excited, driven, and ready to keep improving.
What events did you compete in at the tournament, and how did you perform?
I competed in singles, doubles and mixed doubles, facing athletes from countries such as Australia, Peru, Brazil, Thailand, India, Italy, and Bulgaria and finished the tournament ranked 15th for woman’s singles.
What’s next for you in 2026?
There's international tournaments all throughout the year, but my next goal is to compete at the Thailand Para Badminton International later this year.Competing at this level has given me even more motivation to keep improving. I’m proud to represent New Zealand and excited for what’s ahead.
Congratulations Anna, we are very proud to have you represent not only Southland but New Zealand as well.
ANNA AND THE 2026 PARA BADMINTON NEW ZEALAND TEAM IN BAHRAIN
