Marlon Bautista from the Northern Marianas Islands

dd yy September 6, 2024 6 0

Shuttle Time Youth Leader of Northern Marianas
I was born and raised on the island of Saipan in the Northern Marianas. I am the middle child of three. My younger sister also plays badminton and had the opportunity to represent the Northern Marianas in youth competitions.
When I was younger, I didn’t know anything about badminton. I preferred volleyball and soccer until a friend introduced me to the sport. Then I participated in my first official match. It wasn’t until high school that I developed a strong interest in playing badminton competitively. The competition left a deep impression on me, and watching coaches play inspired me to pursue the sport further.
I represented my school in interschool tournaments in Saipan. I trained three times a week and competed on Saturdays. In 2024, I was selected for the Northern Marianas U17 team to compete in the U17 Pacific Invitational Tournament held in Australia.

Memorable Moments
Winning the Saipan High School Championship for the first time was a significant moment for me. The memories I made with my teammates are unforgettable because they helped me through the ups and downs of the sport.
Badminton is an important hobby for me. It has deepened my social connections, kept me fit, and allowed me to see different parts of the world.
The badminton community in the Northern Marianas is a friendly and humble group of enthusiasts.

Developing Badminton
I served as a line judge and referee during the middle school championships in Saipan. I am interested in using the Shuttle Time Youth Leader training I received to coach younger players in the future.

Impact of Shuttle Time
Badminton started to grow as I played. Every year, more people began playing badminton. At lunchtime in my school, it seems like half the students are playing badminton.