[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When Brandon Poon sat in the stands at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, he was a spectator unaware his life was about to change.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t even know Para badminton was a sport,\u201d he recalls.<\/p>\n
A year later, he was competing on the world stage.<\/p>\n
A full-time physiotherapist based in Sydney, Poon already had a demanding career, a new marriage and a life full of responsibilities. Sport had always been part of his routine \u2013 mostly tennis growing up \u2013 but badminton was, at best, a casual pursuit.<\/p>\n
That changed after Paris.<\/p>\n
Opportunity came through the Para Badminton Athlete Participation Grant, which Poon applied for with the support of Badminton Australia upon returning home.[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”14929″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” onclick=”link_image”][vc_column_text]Designed to open doors for emerging players, the grant provides financial assistance for athletes to compete internationally and undergo classification, supporting BWF\u2019s mission to grow Para badminton across all classes.<\/p>\n
For Poon, the impact was immediate \u2013 he was one of 11 Participation Grant recipients to make their debut at the BWF Para Badminton World Championships in Manama, Bahrain last month (Feb 8-14).<\/p>\n
\u201cIt covered a big portion of flights and accommodation,\u201d he says. \u201cWithout that, it would have been hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been incredible to experience the athlete lifestyle. I met so many great people and it\u2019s opened my eyes to the Para badminton community. Everyone is so supportive \u2013 it\u2019s been a special experience to take home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Balancing a full-time job with the demands and costs of international sports is no small feat. But the grant eased financial pressure and made participation possible.<\/p>\n
In Manama, Poon played five matches \u2013 three in SL4 men\u2019s singles and two alongside Zashka Gunson in SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. For someone who hadn\u2019t planned to be there, the moment felt surreal.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]\u201cI was watching these players not long ago,\u201d he says. \u201cNow I\u2019m on court with them.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great experience seeing how people play, how they move, how they construct points. It\u2019s also interesting to see how athletes manage their days: post-match recovery, nutrition, gym routines. I learned a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
At just five years old, Poon underwent surgery for an ependymoma, a brain tumour that left lasting weakness on the left side of his body. Now 31, he embraces it as part of who he is.<\/p>\n
Para badminton? It has become more than a sport \u2013 it\u2019s a space where he feels he truly belongs.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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