Victor Lai Creates History as First Canadian Medalist in Worlds

Photo:AFP

In Paris, the badminton world witnessed a historic moment when 20-year-old Victor Lai became the first Canadian player ever to secure a medal at the Badminton World Championships. His remarkable run has placed him among the world’s best, proving that talent and determination can break barriers, even for players from countries not traditionally known for the sport.

An Underdog Rising

Victor Lai entered the tournament unseeded, meaning he was not among the top-ranked players. Yet, he stunned fans and experts by defeating Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion and ninth seed, in the quarter-finals.

The match began with Loh leading 17-12 in the first game, but Lai refused to give up. He fought back point by point, showing composure beyond his age. He went on to win the first game 22-20 and sealed the match with 21-18 in the second.

After his win, a visibly emotional Lai said:

“Unbelievable, I’m still shocked. I got a lot of confidence from my past tournaments this summer. Being the underdog gives me freedom – I don’t feel pressure against seeded players, so I just play my best.”

With this victory, Lai has already guaranteed Canada a place in badminton history books by ensuring at least a bronze medal.

Semi-Final Challenge Awaits

In the semi-final, Lai will face the tournament’s top seed Shi Yuqi from China. Shi had to work hard in his quarter-final, defeating fellow Chinese player Weng Hongyang in three games: 21-15, 7-21, 21-10.

This match promises to be a tough battle for Lai, but his fearless performance so far has given fans hope that he can continue his dream run.

Other Men’s Singles Highlights

The other two quarter-finals followed expected results. Defending champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn from Thailand, seeded third, overcame Indonesia’s Leonardus Jonatan Christie in a thrilling contest: 21-14, 18-21, 21-8.

He will now face Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, the second seed and a three-time medalist, who battled past Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen with 21-17, 23-21.

Antonsen admitted after his win that the tournament schedule was demanding:

“Today I needed to vent my frustration. At this stage, all players are tired. This week could be even longer than usual, with six matches if we reach the final.”

Women’s Singles: An Se-young Dominates

On the women’s side, world No.1 An Se-young of South Korea continued her dominance. The reigning Olympic and world champion crushed her fellow countrywoman Sim Yu-jin in straight games: 21-10, 21-6.

She will now face China’s Chen Yufei, a former Olympic gold medalist, who defeated Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong 22-20, 21-14.

Yamaguchi and Wardani Advance

Two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi from Japan also reached the semi-final. The fifth seed beat China’s Han Yue with 21-5, 21-19. Yamaguchi’s experience and tactical changes during the match allowed her to outsmart her opponent.

She is set to face Indonesia’s rising star Putri Kusuma Wardani, who upset India’s Pusarla Venkata Sindhu in three games: 21-14, 13-21, 21-16.

Yamaguchi later explained:

“In the first set, my opponent struggled, so I waited for mistakes. But in the second, she counter-attacked well, so I became more patient and waited for the right chances.”

Why This Championship Matters

The Badminton World Championships is one of the sport’s biggest tournaments, second only to the Olympics in prestige. Players from across the world gather not just for medals but also for national pride.

For Canada, Victor Lai’s breakthrough is historic. The country has never before celebrated a player reaching this stage in the men’s singles. His performance could inspire a new generation of Canadian players to take up the sport.

Meanwhile, the women’s draw shows the dominance of Asia’s top players, with South Korea, China, Japan, and Indonesia all represented in the semi-finals.

As the tournament heads toward its final stages, fans around the globe are eagerly watching whether the underdog story of Victor Lai will continue, or if the established champions will secure yet another title.