High-Performance

New Delhi, India (August 23, 2026) – Victor Lai’s stunning season continues as he set yet another milestone for Canada at the BWF World Championships 2026, becoming his country’s first ever multi medallist after winning his second bronze medal. Just months after winning the Indonesian Open as the first ever Canadian to win a BWF Super 1000, he has struck again this time on the game’s biggest stage. 

After impressive victories in the opening two rounds, Victor Lai faced Loh Kean Yew for the second consecutive year this time in the round of 16. ... winning in two straight games 22-20 and 21-18. Victor continued his strong run in the quarterfinals where he faced Rasmus Gemke from Denmark earning another two-game win, 21-19, 21-18. The quarter final win secured his place in the semi-finals and guaranteed him a bronze medal, marking the second straight year he has reached the World Championships podium. In the semifinals, Lai took on France's Alex Lanier, the world number 10. The canadian stormed out to claim the opening game 21-16. Lanier responded with a strong performance in the next two games and eventually winning the match 16-21, 21-13, 21-14 to end Victor Lai's tournament run. 

Despite narrowly missing out on a spot in the final, the performance represents another major step forward. He shared with the media “of course I’m really proud. I wanted a different colour medal than last year, but I’m so proud of the way I handled the pressure and the expectations. I fought through some pretty tough matches to get into the semifinals today.” 

Mike Butler, Team Canada Head Coach, shares, “I am so proud of Victor and his repeat bronze medal at the BWF World Championships in Delhi. To do this in back-to-back years is incredible. I felt that his match against Alex Lanier in the semifinals was one of the highlights of the tournament. He played so well throughout the tournament. Congratulations Victor” 

The BWF World Championships 2026 also featured strong performances from the rest of the Canadian Team. Michelle Li advanced to the quarterfinals before falling to Japan's Akane Yamaguchi. Wendy Zhang also reached the round of 32 where her tournament came to and against Pusarla V. Sindhu. In mixed doubles, Jonathan Lai and Crystal Lai earned their first World Championships victory in the round of 64 before falling to world number one pair Feng Yan Zhe and Huang Dong Ping from China.  

Canada leaves New Delhi with another historic result from Victor Lai, whose second consecutive World Championships bronze medal further cements his place among the sport's rising stars. Combined with other strong performances, the World Championships marked a successful outing for the Canadian contingent and highlighted the continued growth of Canadian badminton on the world stage.  

 

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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!