From 8–14 February in Manama, Bahrain, history was made as Australia sent its largest-ever team to the BAHRAIN BWF Para World Championships 2026. Sixteen athletes from Australia competed in the Championships, which is a competitive biennial tournament with strict entry standards. Australians faced the world’s best among the six classifications of Para Badminton (WH1, WH2, SL3, SL4, SU5, SH6), and AUS was represented in five of the six classifications, a powerful statement of the nation’s growing strength in the sport.
Team Australia
For the five debutants (*), Bahrain delivered a first taste of elite international competition. For more experienced players, the competition offered an early proving ground on the road to the 2028 Paralympics. Badminton Australia proudly congratulates the following athletes who earned their place on the world stage:
Qambar Ali Akhteyari
Lachlan Boulton
Hayden Braun*
Katelyn Colley
Caitlin Dransfield
Martyn Ford
Mischa Ginns
Zashka Gunson
Sarah Keenahan*
Macka Mackenzie
Grant Manzoney
Nang Van Nguyen*
Brandon Ka Nam Poon*
Arika Shetty
Celine Vinot
Bree Wright*
* First World Championships appearance
Results
While many Australians fought hard but exited during the group stages, several athletes pushed deep into the draw. Caitlin Dransfield (WA) led the charge, reaching the SL3 Women’s Singles quarterfinals – Australia’s best result of the tournament. Dransfield narrowly missed out on semifinals in a gripping three-game match against China’s Yuan Haoying.
Also advancing beyond the group stages into the Round of 16 were:
Mischa Ginns (WH2 Women’s Singles)
Zashka Gunson (SL3–SU5 Women’s Doubles)
Macka Mackenzie (WH1 Women’s Singles)
Grant Manzoney (WH2 Men’s Singles)
Arika Shetty (SL4 Women’s Singles)
Celine Vinot (SL3 Women’s Singles; SL3–SU5 Women’s Doubles)
Bree Wright (WH1 Women’s Singles)
The Team Behind the Players
Backing the athletes was Badminton Australia’s largest-ever Para World Championships support team, including:
- Para High Performance Manager – Olivia Knowles
- Head Coach – Ian Bridge
- Para Performance Support Specialist – Stephen Hadlow
- Team Physiotherapist – Brooke Bakaric
- Assistant Coaches – Thomas Champion & Victoria Wang
With growing depth and experience, Australia has made one thing clear: our players belong on the world stage. Focus now turns locally to the National Championships, the breeding ground of future success, where many of these players started their Para Badminton journeys. The Yonex Australian Para Badminton National Championships are set to take place in Altona, Victoria on 29-31 May 2026.
Check out the photos from the event! (Photo credit: BWF / https://media.npc.bh)
