Young Stars Shine Bright at the New Zealand Open

The 2025 New Zealand Open Championships will be remembered as a special one. This year, the spotlight was firmly on the next generation, with 13-year-old Eli Ho making history as the youngest ever Men’s Singles champion, and 19-year-old Hannah Li capturing her second Women’s Singles title.

This year’s Open was one of the biggest yet, featuring 22 events across singles, doubles, mixed doubles and teams, with more than 135 teams and over 320 entries from across the country.

Eli Ho Makes History

The Men’s Singles field included some of New Zealand’s most decorated players. Olympian and eight-time champion Barry Griffiths was chasing a record ninth crown, while seven-time winner Teng Teng Liu was also chasing his eighth title. But in the end, it was 13-year-old Eli Ho who stole the show.

In the final, Eli showed incredible composure and fight, edging out 17-year-old Timothy Choi in a thrilling seven-game battle. The match went the distance, but Eli kept his cool to close it out 4–3 and take the title. Just last year he won the prestigious ITTF World Hopes Week Challenge Boys’ singles title, and now he’s proving himself not only on the international stage but also against the very best in New Zealand. 

“It feels amazing to win this title,” Eli said. “Playing against older and more experienced players pushed me to give everything I had. I just tried to stay calm and play my game. This gives me a lot of confidence for the future.”

Hannah Li’s Special Triumph

The Women’s Singles was an exciting contest. Hannah Li produced a composed and determined performance, defeating 10-time champion and Olympian Li Chunli in the semi-finals before sweeping past Gina Liu in the final.

For Hannah, this was a special return to the big stage. “This is my second time winning the New Zealand Open,” she explained. “My first win was in 2023. I didn’t play in 2024 because I was preparing for my A-Level exams, so coming back and winning again feels very special.”

Her semi-final victory over Li Chunli was particularly meaningful. “Chunli Li’s skill is undeniable. I have great respect for her and I was honoured to compete with her. It was my first time playing her and, of course, it put me under pressure. But I turned that stress into strength. I adapted as quickly as I could, and I’m proud of how I managed to handle the challenge.”

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Hannah said: “The New Zealand Open is important to me because every competition shows me where I need to improve. Each step brings me closer to my goal of stepping onto the world stage. I’m grateful to TTNZ for hosting the Open and giving me this chance to learn more about myself.”

In the final against Gina Liu, Hannah focused on composure. “I carried my momentum into the finals and stayed committed to my strategy. I used the techniques I practise and concentrated on applying them throughout the match. Training with focus boosts my confidence in competition and allows me to perform at my best. I hope I can keep this attitude and always respect every game and opponent.”