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MARCH 2026 THE REVIEW | 11 FEATURE “I realise that not everyone gets this opportunity.” Anna says bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals from the Oceania and Australian International competitions are a huge highlight, but qualifying for the world championships in Bahrain is her biggest badminton achievement to date. The full-time primary school teacher plays for All Saints Badminton Club in Invercargill and trains two to three hours per week, with extra physical activity between trainings. Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi affects the entire right side of her body. She is unable to use that hand, and balance and strength is a challenge in that leg. “One of the main struggles for me when playing is serving with just one hand and also not being able to move as quickly on the court due to my balance and strength. “The main challenge for me would be having to adapt to everything while only having the ability to use one hand. “I try not to let anything hold me back and just keep trying to figure out a way to work around it,” Anna says. “I like the social side of badminton, especially when it comes to playing and competing in sports, but I also love that it keeps me physically active.” Para badminton, at an international level, is a relatively new sport in Aotearoa New Zealand and there are 13 classified Para badminton athletes. Badminton New Zealand’s People and Pathways Lead Donna Trow says 2017 saw the country’s first Para player Above, left to right: Anna Hika says playing badminton when she can only use one hand comes with challenges. Photo: James Varghese . Maia Read, left, and Anna Hika are proud to have represented Aotearoa New Zealand on the international stage. “I try not to let anything hold me back and just keep trying to figure out a way to work around it,” Anna says. compete internationally, while our first Paralympian took part in Paris 2024. As well as Cerebral Palsy – Hōkai Nukurangi, Para badminton players live with paraplegia, birth defects, short stature, are amputees and use wheelchairs. Donna says badminton is a low-impact, non-contact sport making it a great option for people who live with physical disabilities. Feedback shows there are “positive physical, social, and emotional benefits that participants with disabilities have experienced, such as improved confidence, fitness, and opportunities for social interaction and friendship”. Donna says they are grateful for the financial and resourcing support that comes from Badminton Oceania which is vital to New Zealand Para Badminton’s players and the programmes they take part in. For more information go to www.badminton.org.nz