Oscar Guo Risks & Success In Badminton

Oscar Guo is the best badminton player in New Zealand and he is only Year 12 at Westlake Boys’ High School. 

In 2015 Guo comfortably defeated Brock Matheson 21-17, 21-14 to become the youngest ever New Zealand player to win a national singles senior title. Guo successfully defended the National title in 2016 and has just added a second Oceania Junior (U19) title to his impressive résumé.  

A fearless playing style and a growing appetite for travel have driven Guo to great heights. 

“I like to play an attacking style of Badminton, hit the shuttlecock close to the lines and take risks. Because I am young I have nothing to lose,” Guo reveals. 

In New Caledonia at the Oceania champs Guo claimed both the singles and doubles crowns and in the former event didn’t drop a set.

“I prepared really well for the tournament. The hardest thing was the heat, but in training I forced myself to carry on when I was completely fatigued so that helped improve my endurance,” Guo says.

Guo didn’t require long on court, accept for the final where he met familiar rival Edward Lau.

“We have played each other so many times I have lost count. He is a really good player, but I feel I took more risks and played a good match against him” Guo enthuses.

Badminton runs in the Guo family. Both his parents played socially and Guo first picked up a racquet when he was two years old and started competitive play when he was 8. 

Guo’s biggest win thus far is capturing the Australian Under-17 title in 2014. It was his first major success on the international stage where he desires further action.  After attempting to defend his National senior title, Guo will travel to Indonesia for an international Grand-Prix and return again for the Junior World Championships with his sights set on qualifying for the Junior Olympics.
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Guo, who plays out of the North Harbour badminton club, identifies Daniel Shirley the only Kiwi to medal at the World Championships as his favourite player. Shirley, like Guo, is a risk taker.


Oceania Championship Singles Results 
Beat: Marcus Loi, 21-8, 21-12
Beat:  Vong, 21-9, 21-8
Beat: Clement Cazautet, 21-2, 21-7
Beat: Quentin Bernaix, 21-11, 21-9
Beat: Edward Lau, 21-15, 21-9

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