By Chien-Chu SUN, AUSF Student Media Contributor
10 June 2026
TAIPEI, TPE – The 2026 Asian University Badminton Championship took place at the Taipei Gymnasium, bringing together 130 collegiate athletes from 11 AUSF members. The opening ceremony highlighted the core values of university sports: solidarity and mutual respect. Taking the podium, Mr. Ping Kun CHIU, President of the Chinese Taipei University Sports Federation (CTUSF), reminded the athletes: “University sports are about much more than winning medals. It is about learning, growing, and building connections that transcend borders.” Echoing this sentiment, AUSF CISCA Chair Mr. Ryo LOU noted that “badminton builds a bridge of friendship and competition across Asia.”
On the court, the competition heated up quickly. Malaysia’s sophomore Hooi Shao Herng was eager to compete against Asia’s best, specifically hoping to challenge Chinese Taipei’s Kuo Kuan-Lin. Meanwhile, Singaporean captain Justyn Sim—a 24-year-old former national team player—brought a veteran’s focus. He entered the tournament aiming for the singles semi-finals and hoping to challenge the consistently strong South Korean team. Sri Lankan senior Nilasi Balasuriya was equally motivated, bringing her team’s focus to the medal podium.
Away from badminton strategies, coping with pressure involved personal routines and habits. The Singaporean captain Sim avoided superstitions entirely, relying purely on hard work and a “never-give-up” mindset, while others looked for a little extra luck.
Balasuriya, for instance, stepped onto the court wearing her lucky clothes and socks, always bringing a specific face towel. Singaporean freshman Amber Lim traveled to the tournament with her own lucky charm—a blue horse plushie with a sharp nose. For Malaysia’s Hooi, comfort was more practical: he praised the Taipei Gymnasium’s strong air-conditioning, noting with a smile that he preferred playing in a cooler venue.
Off the court, the focus naturally shifted to making connections and experiencing the host city. Lim emphasized that beyond wins and losses, she simply wanted “to get to know more of the international players.” Balasuriya expressed her gratitude to the organizing committee, praising the smooth arrangements for their accommodation, transportation, and food. Meanwhile, Sim looked forward to exploring local culture, planning trips with his teammates to Ximending and local night markets during their time in Chinese Taipei.
