USA Badminton announced its 2015 World University Games team on Wednesday. The squad, made up of four women and four men, will compete at the July event in Gwangju, Korea. This marks the second time in history that USA Badminton is sending a team to the Games. With representation in up to 21 sports by 550 athletes, this will be the largest American team that the United States has sent to the World University Games.

The World University Games, also known as “Universiade” (a combination of “University” and “Olympiade”), is held every other year and is the largest multi-sport event after the Olympics.

The following athletes will be competing in team events July 6-8, and individual events July 10-12:
-Stephanie Lam
-Adrienne Lin
-Erika Spokert
-Angela Zhang
-Timothy Hsu
-Derrick Long
-Ashwin Narkar
-Chetan Potu

Kowi Chandra

Team USA will be led by Kowi Chandra, a former Indonesian National Team member and now represents the United States. Upon arriving in the United States in 2006, he acquired a high level performance badminton player position and won several international titles, won the National Championship in 2009, and 2012, and he was ranked #1 in the United States for Mixed Doubles in 2009. Currently, coach Kowi Chandra is a part-time competitor and full-time coach, serving as the current head coach at Bay Badminton Center’s training academy in Milpitas, California. Coach Kowi Chandra has been part of the coaching team of the US Badminton team at 2011 Pan am Junior Championships.  Coach Chandra received the award of the 2013 USA Badminton Development Coach of The Year.

Ray Ng

USA Team Manager Ray Ng brings his rich experiences and passions in high performance sports for the team. He played basketball for Hong Kong in the 1979 World University Games. Now a US citizen, Ray has led USA badminton teams to 2014 World University Championships in Spain, 2013 World University Games in Russia, 2010 World Junior Badminton Championships in Mexico, and 2010 & 2009 Junior Pan American Championships. Mr. Ng is also a USAB certified national referee.  During his free time, he enjoys playing badminton and participating in the senior games.

Stephanie Lam

Stephanie Lam, 19, is a Monta Vista High School graduate from Cupertino, California. She is currently studying Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles. She will be a sophomore this fall. Stephanie represented the United States in the 2014 World University Badminton Championships in Spain last summer. She has been active in the U.S. junior circuit, finishing 3rd in Woman’s Doubles at the 2014 USA Badminton Junior Nationals, and has continued competing while in college, finishing 3rd place in Woman’s Singles at the 2015 USA Badminton Collegiate Nationals.

Adrienne Lin

Adrienne Lin, 19, is a Newport High School graduate from Bellevue, Washington. She is currently pursuing a double major in business and IVA at the University of Washington, and will be a sophomore this fall. She is the semifinalist in Woman’s Doubles and Mixed Doubles in March at the USA Badminton 2015 Collegiate Nationals. She is a coach at the Seattle Badminton Club where she motivates and teaches young kids about badminton.

Erika Sporkert

Erika Sporkert (co-captain), 19, is a Monta Vista High School graduate from Cupertino, California. She is currently studying computer science at the University of Southern California and will be a junior this fall. She was co-captain of her high school badminton team, and is the Vice President of the University of Southern California Badminton Club. In addition to going to the World University Games, she will also be interning at Google this summer.

Angela Zhang

Angela Zhang, 18, attends Mission San Jose High School in Fremont, California. Angela is the captain of her school’s badminton team. In the fall, she will be a freshman majoring in environmental engineering at Columbia University.  Angela has been active in the U.S. junior circuit, participating and performing well in many junior national tournaments. In her free time, she likes to cook and sing.

Timothy Hsu

Timothy Hsu, 19, is a Milpitas High School graduate and will be a sophomore majoring computer science and business at the University of California, Berkeley. Timothy is also a USAB Certified National Umpire.  During his free time, Tim enjoys playing the flute, sleeping, and watching Running Man.

Derrick Long

Derrick Long, 19, is a Mission San Jose High School graduate.  He will be a junior studying Accounting at San Jose State University. He was captain of his high school badminton team, and is the current vice president and future co-president of San Jose State University Badminton. Derrick was also active in the junior badminton circuit, winning first place in U15 Boys’ Doubles at the 2009 Pan Am Junior Championships.

Ashwin Narkar

Ashwin Narkar, 17, is from Moreau Catholic High School, and will be a freshman majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles.  Even though he is the youngest athlete on the team, he has been competitive on the Junior badminton circuit.

Chetan Potu

Chetan Potu (co-captain), 19 years old, is a Cupertino High School graduate. Chetan is going to be a junior studying biotechnology at the University of California, San Diego. Chetan also represented the United States in the 2014 World University Championship in Spain.  He brings valuable experience to the team. He is also the co-captain of the UCSD Badminton Team.