When Victor Lai stepped on the podium last weekend in Paris to receive his bronze at the Badminton World Federation聽聽鈥 Canada’s first medal 鈥斅爃e wasn鈥檛 thinking about making history. That would come later.
The 20-year-old聽wasn鈥檛 feeling defeated, either. Looking at Chinese gold medallist聽 and second-place Kunlavut Vitidsarn, he said he felt inspired and determined to do better.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud, and I鈥檓 very grateful that I have the chance and the opportunity to just put badminton on the map in Canada,鈥 Lai told the Star. 鈥淭his is just a chance to inspire new kids to start, or the ones who are on the edge of competing in more tournaments nationally and internationally. I think I am very lucky that I can inspire them and show them that someone from Canada can do it.鈥
鈥淭his is just a chance to inspire new kids to start,”聽Victor Lai said of his badminton bronze medal.
AFP via Getty ImagesThe closest Canada had come to the podium in top-level badminton was in 2012, when Michelle Li and Alex Bruce finished fourth in women鈥檚 doubles at the London Olympics.
Lai, who was born in Scarborough and grew up in Markham, started playing when he was eight years old. This has been his breakout year. He won the Pan American championship in April and was runner-up at the Canada Open Super 300, a World Tour event, in July. He won again at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay last month, and added silver in mixed doubles with Rachel Chan.
He attributes that improvement to a growth spurt 鈥 now just over six feet and 152 pounds.
鈥淚 got a lot stronger and faster,鈥 Lai said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what was lacking in my game. I have always played smart with good skills, but my physicality lacked and my opponents could overpower me.鈥
Not in Paris. Lai was down 17-12 in the opening set of his quarterfinal with Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, but regrouped and won 22-20, 21-18.
He stood his ground against Shi, too, taking the opening set from the world No. 1. He was on pace for an upset in the second set until the Chinese star made an incredible shot at the net that swung the momentum.
鈥淭his has been an amazing week for Victor and Canadian badminton,” said聽Canada head coach Mike Butler, a former Olympian. “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 (he鈥檚) only 20 years old. He has a great future ahead of him.鈥
Lai is headed to Hong Kong, his parents鈥 birthplace, for another major tournament next week. His goals are simple: ranked 35th in the world, he’s eying the top 10.聽 He wants an Olympic medal, and hopes to move up a step or two at the worlds.
鈥淪ince I already got bronze, I know the feeling of being on the podium,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t really motivates me seeing other players above me. I really want to achieve that.鈥
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