High-Performance

Asunción, Paraguay (August 15, 2025) – Canadian athletes Victor Lai and Rachel Chan delivered outstanding performances at the 2025 Pan Am Junior Games, held from August 10 to 13 in Asunción, Paraguay. Competing in both singles and mixed doubles events, each athlete secured a gold medal in their respective singles category and a silver medal in mixed doubles. Their victories in men and women singles has guaranteed them a spot in the 2027 Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru. 

In the woman’s singles final, Rachel Chan defended her Women’s Singles title and defeated Brazil’s Juliana Viana Vieira with a score of 21-12, 21-16. Victor Lai followed with a strong performance in the men’s singles final, overcoming Deivid Marinho Da Silva of Brazil in a match that concluded 21-6, 23-21. 

Chan and Lai paired for the mixed doubles event, advancing to the final where they faced a skilled Brazilian duo. Playing the final prior to their gold medal matches, in the closely contested match, Victor and Rachel were narrowly defeated, with a final score of 21-23, 21-14, 19-21, earning silver in the event.  

“Victor and Rachel did Canada proud in coming away with gold in men’s singles and women’s singles and a silver in in mixed doubles. They were only a couple points away from double gold. They were strong from start to finish” said National Head Coach Mike Butler, ChPC. 

By winning their respective singles events, both Victor Lai and Rachel Chan have secured their spots for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. National Head Coach Mike Butler expressed excitement about the achievement: “The wins in singles booked their ticket to the pan Am Senior Games in Lima 2027. To have 2 extra spots for the Games in 2027 is amazing. Congratulations Rachel and Victor”. 

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For more information or media inquiries please contact:  

Bryan R. Merrett  

Executive Director  

613-518-1501, X2083  

bmerrett@badminton.ca  

 

About Badminton Canada  

With shuttles reaching speeds as high as 565 kph, badminton attracts more than 220 million people worldwide to play the sport weekly, making badminton the second most participated-in sport in the world. Badminton Canada works to grow the game across the country through events, coaching and officials’ development, and developing programs such as Shuttletime. In Canada, over 2 million people picked up a badminton racquet and played our sport. Some play at the cottage, some in the backyard, at school, the local community centre or as part of an organized Badminton Canada competition. Badminton is easily accessible – for any Canadian – at any age – for life!