By: Thomas Padilla, CC BY-SA 4.0 on victor-lai-wins-canadas-first-ever-medal-at-badminton-world-championships

Writers: Jaden Lau and Marcus Miu

The 2025 BWF Badminton World Championships in Paris were electrifying for fans worldwide, but especially for Canadians. Twenty-year-old Victor Lai, a rising star from Markham, Ontario, made history with an incredible run that ended with a bronze medal, Canada’s first-ever podium finish at the World Championships.

The tournament featured 64 of the world’s best players, namely powerhouses such as China’s Shi Yuqi and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen. Against these giants, Lai blazed through five rounds and nine matches, taking down major contenders such as Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, who went on to finish second.

Lai opened his campaign with an outstanding performance against New Zealand’s Edward Lau, reading every play with great anticipation and sealing a dominant 21-13, 21-2 victory. His next match was a test for Lai: after dropping the first game 13-21 to China’s Lu Guang Zu, Lai adjusted his rhythm and strategy, coming back to win 21-12 and 21-10. In the third round, he showed complete control, defeating Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-Jin 21-7, 21-13. The quarter-finals were where Victor established himself as a world-class badminton player. His opponent, Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, was renowned around the globe as a champion-level player. Lai’s confidence and strong composure really shone in these two games, not forcing any points and playing a steady game. Eventually, Victor emerged victorious, upsetting Loh with close 22-20 and 21-18 games.

Now, Victor was approaching the semi-finals, the second last match before advancing to the finals. The only obstacle between him and the finals was none other than the global sensation himself: Shi Yuqi from China. Ranked first in the world for men’s singles, Shi was an absolute force to be reckoned with. At first, Victor seemed strong, taking an easy first game 21-13. However, where Victor faltered, Shi took advantage, bursting with agility and exploding with power, unfortunately overwhelming Victor, 20-22 and 16-21.

Victor Lai’s historic run wasn’t just another medal around his neck, but a crucial turning point for Canadian badminton. His breakthrough performance proved that Canada is capable of competing with the world’s best, inspiring a new generation of players to believe that the podium is within reach.

Works Cited

Badminton Canada. “Victor Lai Makes History for Canada.” Badminton Canada, 1 Sept. 2025, https://www.badminton.ca/news/162163/Victor-Lai-Makes-History-for-Canada.

Badminton Pan America. “Among the Best – Paris 2025.” Badminton Pan America, 28 Aug. 2025, https://www.badmintonpanam.org/14682-2/.

Badminton World Federation. “Victor Lai Makes History for Canada.” BWF World Championships 2025 News, 29 Aug. 2025, https://bwfworldchampionships.bwfbadminton.com/news-single/2025/08/29/victor-lai-makes-history-for-canada/.

Sofascore. “Victor Lai vs Edward Lau.” Sofascore Badminton Match Results, 2025, https://www.sofascore.com/badminton/match/victor-lai-lau/aQecslAnd.

Nichols, Paula. “Victor Lai Wins Canada’s First Ever Medal at Badminton World Championships.” Team Canada – Official Olympic Team Website, 2 Sept. 2025, olympic.ca/2025/09/02/victor-lai-wins-canadas-first-ever-medal-at-badminton-world-championships/.