Successful year for Ryan Soo-Jones

In February, Ryan entered the international stage by participating in the prestigious International Victor Oceania Junior Championship. With some resilience, together with his men’s doubles partner, they progressed to the quarterfinals of the tournament but failed to progress through, losing to their Australian counterpart. Nevertheless, participating in the championship was a stepping-stone to the international badminton field.

Continuing his stride in the North Island U17 Championship, Ryan demonstrated his versatility by excelling in both the doubles and mixed doubles events. His hard work paid off as he clinched the runner-up position in both the events.

Ryan's journey continued in the Waikato U17 and Auckland U17 tournaments, where he reached the semi-finals in the boys' doubles category. His consistent performance in the double’s event is a clear indication of Ryan’s preferred specialisation in the future, as he is playing all three events now – singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Participating in the Manukau U19 event was a significant step for Ryan, as he competed against older opponents. Despite the tougher competition, he showcased his tenacity and skills by reaching the finals in the boys' doubles plate event, further underlining his preferred specialisation.

Looking ahead, Ryan's dedication remains unwavering as he prepares for upcoming challenges. In September, he will participate in the Manukau U17, another opportunity to up his ranking before the National U17 tournament in October. As of week 34 in 2023, Ryan is ranked top 10 for his doubles and mixed doubles - 8 (out of 124 players) for his doubles and 6 (out of 85 players) for his mixed doubles.