Lina Tsukagoshi, seen here going for a return during her and Shaina Malonzo’s women’s doubles game in the Pacific U17 Invitation Team Challenge in Geelong, Australia in 2024, will be a key player of the NMI Team at the VICTOR Oceania Junior Mixed Team Championships 2025 that will kick off this weekend at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
Contributed photo
WITH the 2025 VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships just days away, all eyes are on the Northern Marianas, this year’s host nation and a rising force in regional badminton, as their young athletes prepare to take the court in front of the home crowd.
The event will run at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium from June 8 to 15, beginning with the Junior Mixed Team Championships (June 8-10), followed by the Individual Championships (June 12-15).
The Junior Mixed Team Championships will take the center stage, marking the first time the Northern Marianas will host this prestigious event. Even more historic, the home team enters the competition as the third seed, a first for the island nation.
Leading the charge is an eleven-player squad anchored by a core of experienced athletes — Marlon Bautista, Jude Mallari, Dave Odicta, Charmaine Bautista, Genelyn Lansangan, Shaina Malonzo, and Lina Tsukagoshi — who represented the Northern Marianas at the 2024 BWF World Junior Mixed Team Championships in China. Their international exposure has instilled a new level of composure and competitive edge that will be on full display in front of their home supporters.
Adding to the team’s firepower is Evan Seguritan, who turned heads by going undefeated in singles at the Pacific U15 Invitation Team Challenge earlier this year in Auckland, New Zealand. Making their international debut are Minul Hoque, Nolan Nate, and Nicole Llaga, three promising young talents eager to make an impression on home soil.
Following the team event, the Individual Championships will offer players the chance to compete in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles categories. This segment of the tournament will feature a broader pool of talent, including athletes from Northern Marianas Badminton Association’s interscholastic program, many of whom will be making their first appearance on the regional stage.
For the Northern Marianas, the Individual Championships are an opportunity to showcase the depth of its junior development pipeline. Several players who may not have featured in the team event will take to the court, gaining valuable experience and representing their communities with pride.
“We’re excited to be hosting our very first Junior Championship. This is a great opportunity for parents and students to watch our junior national players compete right here at home. We’re also pleased to welcome to Saipan our fellow members from Badminton Oceania. We’ll do our best to ensure their stay is both enjoyable and memorable. This tournament is not only a great experience for the players, but also a valuable step towards the continued promotion of badminton within our community through the collaborative efforts of the NMBA and our partners,” NMBA President Merlie Tolentino said.
All matches in the 2025 VICTOR Oceania Junior Championships are free and open to the public, with live streaming available on Badminton Oceania’s YouTube channel.
For schedules, draws, and live updates, visit www.oceaniabadminton.org or follow @BadmintonOceania on social media.
