Kaniku bags two silver medals at Aust badminton championship

By JAMIE HARO
PAPUA New Guinea para-badminton athlete David Kaniku has won two silver medals following an outstanding performance at the 2024 Australian National Para-Badminton Championship in Victoria, Australia over the weekend.
Kaniku is one of three para-athletes including Regina Edward and Laho Maiauka who were invited to compete at the championship that concluded yesterday at the Altona North Badminton Centre.
Badminton PNG president Kinivanagi Karo said: “I’m happy with all three of their performances although we didn’t send a full strength team so David had to partner with an Australian to win a silver medal. He also won silver in the singles.
“We are grateful to Badminton Oceania for taking care of our team currently in camp in Australia.”
First day of championship saw Kaniku bag a silver with Australian teammate Amy Dunn in the SH6 mixed doubles.
Kaniku went on to win another silver, losing to Australia’s Luke Timothy Missen in the SH6 men’s singles final yesterday.
Meanwhile, Maiauka bagged a bronze in the SL4 men’s singles while Edward fell short of a podium finish and placed fourth in the SL3 singles. The trio and coach/team manager Dorna Longbut will attend a training camp this week as part of Badminton Oceania’s para development programme.