When Brandon Poon sat in the stands at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, he was a spectator unaware his life was about to change.
“I didn’t even know Para badminton was a sport,” he recalls.
A year later, he was competing on the world stage.
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 – mostly tennis growing up – but badminton was, at best, a casual pursuit.
That changed after Paris.
Opportunity came through the Para Badminton Athlete Participation Grant, which Poon applied for with the support of Badminton Australia upon returning home.
Designed to open doors for emerging players, the grant provides financial assistance for athletes to compete internationally and undergo classification, supporting BWF’s mission to grow Para badminton across all classes.
For Poon, the impact was immediate – 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).
“It covered a big portion of flights and accommodation,” he says. “Without that, it would have been hard.
“It’s been incredible to experience the athlete lifestyle. I met so many great people and it’s opened my eyes to the Para badminton community. Everyone is so supportive – it’s been a special experience to take home.”
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.
In Manama, Poon played five matches – three in SL4 men’s singles and two alongside Zashka Gunson in SL3-SU5 mixed doubles. For someone who hadn’t planned to be there, the moment felt surreal.
“I was watching these players not long ago,” he says. “Now I’m on court with them.
“It was a great experience seeing how people play, how they move, how they construct points. It’s also interesting to see how athletes manage their days: post-match recovery, nutrition, gym routines. I learned a lot.”
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.
Para badminton? It has become more than a sport – it’s a space where he feels he truly belongs.
What Other Grant Recipients at Manama 2026 Said:
