Qualifiers for the Howick-Pakuranga Junior Cup Tournament 2026
We are delighted to announce the Top 16 players who have qualified to compete for the 2026 Howick-Pakuranga Junior Cup!
These talented young players are members who attend our 5:50pm Junior Hour session and have earned their places through their performances on the HPCC Chess Ladder during the second half of Term 2 and throughout Term 3.
Reaching the Top 16 is a fantastic achievement, reflecting their dedication, perseverance and growing chess skills. Every game played, every challenge faced and every lesson learned has contributed to their success.
Meet our Top 16 qualifiers*
| Rank | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | AJ Schulz |
| 2 | Advik Srivasta |
| 3 | Thehas Mendis |
| 4 | Deva Gajula |
| 5 | Aiden Lan |
| 6 | Akaran Ragulan |
| 7 | Daniel Liu |
| 8 | Senadi Jayathilaka |
| 9 | Sai Srikar Reddy Pidaparthi |
| 10 | Olivia Lee |
| 11 | Ashvik Srivasta |
| 12 | Shane Lee |
| 13 | Leo Cheng |
| 14 | Ethan Yu |
| 15 | Joshua Wei |
| 16 | Ethan Cui |
You can check out their progress in the tournament here.
*Results were taken one week before the end of term to allow us to organise players for the tournament in Term 4. We wish to acknowledge Vincent Anderson, who also made the Top 16 after the final session of Term 3 and could have played in the Junior Cup if any of the Top 16 qualifiers had been unable to join the tournament.
Every chess champion starts somewhere!
To all our junior members, remember that every great chess player was once a beginner. Success in chess isn’t just about winning games. It’s about learning from mistakes, thinking critically, showing good sportsmanship and having the determination to keep improving.
Whether you’re currently near the top of the ladder or just starting your chess journey, every game is an opportunity to grow. With regular practice, patience and a positive attitude, you too can work your way towards the Top 16!
Congratulations once again to our 16 qualifiers! We are proud of your achievements and look forward to seeing you compete for the Howick-Pakuranga Junior Cup.
Keep learning, keep challenging yourself, and most importantly, keep enjoying chess!
