At just 16, Zecily Fung has already achieved success in her chosen sport - rising to number one in Australia and in the Oceania region.
Although badminton is a hugely popular sport across much of Asia, her parents didn't mind what sport she played.
Zecily rose to number one-ranked junior at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand in February.
Staying number one might prove more difficult for her next year however, as she tries to find the right balance between education and sport.
Zecily Fung in action Source: Badminton Victoria Inc
"My HSC is coming up next year and it will be really hard to juggle, I don't think I will be able to play as many tournaments or travel as much."
October's Youth Olympics in Argentina is one event she'd love to attend. It will give her much needed big event experience and might well prove the difference between reaching Tokyo or not.
"It would be very good, it's like a little step to make sure I also prepare for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics if I do play there."
Zecily identifies strongly with her Chinese heritage with both her parents born in Hong Kong.
And despite the pressure of keeping her number one junior ranking amidst next year's HSC's, she admits to feeling fortunate that she gets to travel around the world at such a young age, pursuing her sporting objectives.
"It's really nice to be such a young age and travelling all over the world already. I find that really nice. Not a lot of children have that opportunity to travel at such a young age."
Zecily's potent mix of talent and drive to succeed is showing every sign of paying rich dividends for both her country and her own education.
