High-Performance

Paris, France (August 31, 2025) – A few weeks after winning gold at the 2025 Pan American Junior Games Victor Lai’s stunning season continued as he set a milestone for Canada at the BWF World Championships, becoming his country’s first ever medallist. On Championship Sunday, he received his BWF World Championship bronze medal. 

Following incredible quarterfinals win, facing 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew, survived being down 17-12 in the opening game, Lai stormed back to win 22-20 and 21-18. The win guaranteed a bronze medal. The Markham, Ontario native, then played the world number 1 Shi Yu Qi in the semi-finals. In game 1 Lai stormed out to win 21-13. In game two holding three match points, Lai hit a long shot that missed the backline by mere centimetres that had the entire stadium on edge. Shi challenged and won to turn the momentum his way eventually winning the final two games 20-22 and 16-21. 

Being so close to a final bodes well for the 20-year-old Canadian. He shared with the media the following after beating Loh Kean Yew, “I think I got a lot of confidence from the summer, from past tournaments, and it feels good to be the underdog. I don’t have much pressure against the seeded players, so I just go and do my best.” 

Mike Butler, Team Canada Head Coach, shares, “This has been an amazing week for Victor and Canadian Badminton He showed that he can compete with the best in the world on the biggest stage. He secured our first World Championship medal and was a point away from playing for gold. He showed such composure under these circumstances and only 20 years old. He has a great future ahead of him. Congratulations Victor!” 

The BWF World Championships stand alongside the Olympics as the ultimate test for any badminton player. Since its beginnings in 1977, the event has evolved over 28 editions. Just a year after Paris hosted the Olympic Games, and 15 years after it last hosted the BWF World Championships, the French capital once again welcomed contestants. The Adidas Arena was a perfect venue for badminton at the Olympics. 

-30- 

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!