Overview:
Palau’s young tennis players are making their mark on the regional stage. The nation’s 12-and-under girls team secured a runner-up finish at the ITF North Pacific Regional Championships in Guam, earning a spot at the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships in Fiji this April.
Koror, Palau (Feb. 12, 2026) — Eight junior tennis players from Palau represented the nation at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) North Pacific Regional Championships (NPRC), held Feb. 2–6 in Guam, competing against athletes from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, the Federated States of Micronesia and Nauru.
The regional tournament featured multiple divisions, including 12-and-under boys and girls team events, singles competition for 12-and-under players, and singles and doubles events for the 14-and-under and 16-and-under age groups.
Palau fielded teams in several categories. The 12-and-under boys team included Shawn Etpison, Simon Nillasca and Bryce Browny. The 12-and-under girls team featured Mizuki Sadamori, Victoria Rudimch and Katharine Kesolei.
In individual competition, Shallum Etpison represented Palau in the 14-and-under boys division, while Chi-Yun Lin competed in the 14-and-under girls division.
The 12-and-under girls team delivered one of Palau’s top results, finishing second overall in the team event. Mizuki Sadamori also placed second in the 12-and-under girls singles competition.
Only the top two teams in the 12-and-under team events and the top two finishers in the 14-and-under and 16-and-under singles divisions advance to form the North Pacific Team for the Pacific Oceania Junior Championships (POJC).
With their runner-up finish, Palau’s 12-and-under girls team qualified to compete at the POJC, scheduled for April 10–18 in Lautoka, Fiji. The event will bring together the top teams and players from the East, West and North Pacific regional championships.
The Palau Tennis Federation, along with the eight players, their coach Ernestine Rengiil and their families, expressed appreciation to local businesses and individual supporters whose financial contributions helped cover travel expenses for the Guam competition.
The NPRC appearance marks another step in developing Palau’s youth tennis program and providing young athletes with opportunities to compete at the regional level.