Congratulations to Joanne on her outstanding performance at the Australian National Para Badminton Championships 2026.
Joanne competed in both the SH6 Mixed Gender Singles and SH6 Combined Doubles events, showcasing her hard work and dedication on the national stage. Partnering with Katelyn in the SH6 Combined Doubles event, Joanne achieved an impressive silver medal finish.
We are incredibly proud of Joanne and the progress she has made through her training. Her improvement over the past year has been evident, particularly through her commitment and effort in our group training sessions.
Last year, Joanne competed in the YONEX Australian Para International, where she gained valuable match experience against strong opposition. The lessons learned from that tournament, combined with her continued hard work in training, have contributed significantly to her development as a player and helped prepare her for competition at this level.
A special mention also goes to Josiah, who earned a silver medal in the SU5 Men’s Singles event. Having spent time training with us over the past year, we are proud to see him achieve such a fantastic result at the national championships.
Congratulations to Joanne, Katelyn, and Josiah on their achievements. We look forward to seeing their continued progress and success in future competitions.
Understanding Para Badminton
The Australian National Para Badminton Championships showcase the country’s leading para badminton athletes and provide an important pathway to international competition, including the Paralympic Games.
Para badminton is a modified form of badminton for athletes with physical impairments and has been part of the Paralympic Games since Tokyo 2020. The sport follows the same fundamental rules as badminton, with athletes competing in singles, doubles and mixed doubles events across a range of classifications designed to ensure fair and competitive play.
Athletes compete in six sport classes:
- WH1 and WH2 (Wheelchair) – Players compete in wheelchairs, with classifications based on the level of trunk and lower limb function.
- SL3 and SL4 (Standing Lower Limb) – Athletes with lower limb impairments compete standing, with SL3 generally representing athletes with greater movement limitations than SL4.
- SU5 (Standing Upper Limb) – Athletes with impairments affecting one or both upper limbs.
- SH6 (Short Stature) – Athletes with short stature conditions who compete standing.
The classification system ensures athletes compete against others with similar functional abilities, creating fair and exciting competition at all levels of the sport.
The continued growth of para badminton in Australia highlights the sport’s inclusivity and provides opportunities for athletes of all abilities to pursue excellence on the national and international stage.
The achievements on display at the Australian National Para Badminton Championships are a powerful reminder that badminton is a sport for everyone. At YS Badminton, we encourage people of all abilities to pick up a racket, embrace the challenges of the game and continue pushing their limits—because with passion, perseverance and the right support, remarkable achievements are possible both on and off the court.
Photo credit: Adamcyf Photography
