AP photo/Aurelien Morissard
Victor Lai has marked history at the World Badminton Championships in Paris by winning a bronze medal in simple male, the first ever obtained by Canada in this world discipline.
His historic journey was notably marked by a spectacular victory in the quarter -final against the 2021 world champion, Loh Kean Yew of Singapore, currently ranked 8th in the world. At 20, the Canadian managed a good comeback after being led 17-12 in the first round, winning 22-20 and 21-18.
This victory propelled him into the semi-finals and provided him with a bronze medal, since the two losers of the semi-finals receive a bronze in badminton.
After the match, Lai said he had tried to stay focused:
“I was trying not to think too much about it. I knew that I had a chance, but I just had to go and give my maximum, “he said. “It was really difficult [de gérer mes émotions]. I think I was a few points ahead in the second round, but he accelerated the pace and he returned. I was really, really nervous until 19-17 or 19-18. It was very tight. So I just tried to stay calm and not let my emotions appear too much. »»
For the semi-finals, Lai faced the world number one, Shi Yu Qi of China. The young Canadian surprised everyone by winning the first round 21-13. He was two points to sign one of the biggest exploits in the history of the Worlds, with two match balls at 20-18 in the second round. On the first, his shot exceeded the bottom line of a few centimeters, then Shi achieved an exceptional thread. This turnaround gave the momentum to Chinese, which then won the last two rounds 22-20 and 21-16. Shi was then crowned world champion for the first time.
This success marks the end of an exceptional year for Lai. In April, he became a Pan American champion. At the beginning of July, he reached the final of his very first tournament on the BWF World Circuit, finishing second at the Omnium of Canada Super 300. Barely a few weeks ago, he also won gold at the Junior Pan American Games. He thus became the very first simple male player from the Pan -American region to win a medal at the world championships.
“I think I have gained a lot of confidence this summer, thanks to previous tournaments, and it’s motivating to be the outsider. I don’t have too much pressure against players better classified, so I can just go and give everything I have, “he said after his quarter-final.
“It’s an incredible week for Victor and the Canadian badminton,” said Mike Butler, head coach of the Canadian team. “He has proven that he can compete with the best in the world on the largest scene. He won our first medal at the Worlds and it was only one point to play for gold. He has demonstrated a lot of composure in very intense circumstances, and he is only 20 years old. The future promises to be very promising for him. »»
