MLA Gary Coons and MP Nathan Cullen would like to congratulate Adrian Liu, on being eligible to compete in the 2012 summer Olympics in London.
“Adrian has been a dedicated athlete for many years,” said Coons.
“Since the age of 12, he has been playing badminton and loved every minute of it. Now he has the opportunity to not only represent Canada at the highest level of competition, but to also represent our fair city at the Olympics.”
Born and raised in Prince Rupert and a graduate of PRSS, Adrian’s parents instilled the belief that everything is possible with hard work, dedication, talent and passion. Such beliefs have driven him to excel in badminton and have evidently paid off.
Adrian has consistently ranked in the top 10 nationally. Badminton Canada has extended invitations to British Columbian athletes Derrick Ng and Adrian Liu to compete at the 2011 Pan American Games. The 2011 Pan Am Games will be taking place in Guadalajara, Mexico from October 13th-30th, 2011. Ng and Liu have been selected to represent Canada due to being ranked Canada's #1 Men's Doubles team by the Badminton World Federation and #31 in the World.
“We have seen other talented athletes from the North before” said Cullen.
“Carol Huynh from Hazelton won medals in the Pan American Games and world championships before she brought home a Gold Medal in the 2008 summer Olympics. Huynh and Liu are both models for aspiring athletes as well as those of us in the political arena. They remind us that when given the opportunity, they will work with admirable determination to reinforce their reputation amongst the international community.”
Liu and Ng also just returned from competing in the Badminton World Championships in London, and in January his partner and he took home the Men’s Doubles Championship title at the Yonex Canadian senior National Championships. Adrian has been competing in a number of international tournaments and his success in these tournaments determines his ranking, a ranking that now presents an opportunity of a lifetime. The only barriers that remain are the immense costs that come along with the dream.
“It is nearly impossible to maintain your ranking with no financial support from federal or provincial organizations,” said Coons.”
The travel and training is so onerous that even maintaining a part-time job is not practical.”
Liu hopes to share his love and passion for badminton with youth and adults and to inspire others to take up the sport that has been central to so many significant aspects of his own life. He hopes that community organizations and corporations will consider sponsoring him, helping to make his dream real.
Community organizations, corporations and individuals interested in sponsoring Adrian can contact him at Adrian.liu38@gmail.com or contact 250-627-8208.
Look for more on this story in the September 7 issue of the Prince Rupert Northern View.