SU Student Wins Women’s Singles Title at Iceland Int’l Badminton Tournament

On January 25th, Soochow University student Sheng-Chun Huang achieved a major milestone by winning the women’s singles title at the 2026 RSL Iceland International Tournament. After defeating several top-seeded players, she secured the university’s first-ever international title in badminton, marking a significant achievement for both the athlete and the institution.

Despite being a lower-ranked player, the Japanese major student overcame time zone and climate differences through her perseverance, advancing to the final by defeating strong competitors from across Europe. In the championship match, she followed a well-prepared game plan developed with her coach, Chia-Min Wang, and made timely in-game adjustments, ultimately winning the match in straight sets.

Wang, an experienced coach with a strong background in international competitions, played a key role in preparing the team for the tournament. Facing unfamiliar conditions in Northern Europe, including cold weather and long travel distances, both coach and athlete relied on careful preparation, mental resilience, and flexible strategies to secure victory.

After the win, Huang stated that overcoming higher-ranked European players has greatly boosted her confidence. Looking ahead, she plans to continue competing internationally to gain ranking points and qualify for higher-level tournaments. She also aims to earn a podium finish at the upcoming 2026 Intercollegiate Games.

Following the achievement, the director of the Office of Physical Education, Jiceh-Der Dong Fang, noted that Huang is a highly self-disciplined student-athlete who performs excellently in both academics and athletics, serving as a role model for the team.

Building on this success, Soochow University plans to recruit four outstanding badminton student-athletes annually and further strengthen its training system. The university is committed to supporting young talents and providing broader opportunities for student-athletes to compete on the international stage.