Team Canada demonstrated their dominance in Women’s badminton at the prestigious XXIX YONEX Pan Am Individual Championships 2026 by winning all medals in the competition (Gold, Silver and Bronze) medals. Alongside the dominating Women’s performance Team Canada also won gold and bronze in Men’s singles, silver in Men’s doubles and bronze in Women’s doubles. In total Team Canada won 8 medals across five disciplines in the tournament.
The story of the tournament was the dominating performance by Canadians in the Women’s singles
draw. Led by longtime National team player Michelle Li who beat teammate Wen Yu Zhang 21-16 and
2-20. Both National Team members had to get past Next Generation Team members Chloe Hoang (beaten by Li 21-11 and 21-15) and Rachel Chan (beat by Zhang 21-15 and 21-16). All four players demonstrated a strong performance at the tournament exerting total control over all their matches leading to the Semi-Finals and Finals.
“Team Canada in Lima had very good results with multiple players and teams reaching the podium. Everyone gave their all in a very short and competitive field in a compressed schedule. Our Women’s singles players were outstanding, claiming every medal. A truly dominating performance,” shared Mike Butler, Team Canada Head Coach, “In the other disciplines our players played strong and battled through the tournament. We experienced some great results and some learning opportunities. Next stop for Team Canada is the Thomas & Uber Cups in Denmark!”
In the Men’s singles competition, Victor Lai continued his rise in world badminton sailing through to the finals, while beating Next Generation Team member Josh Nguyen 21-7 and 21-16.
In the finals Lai faced Uriel Francisco Canjura Artiga from El Salvador. The world #13 did not disappoint by winning convincingly 21-11 and 21-9. Lai was dominating from start to finish, never losing a game and one surrendering 19 points in one match out of five. Josh Nguyen secured a bronze for Canada with a thrilling three game match versus Donnians Oliveira of Brazil winning 21-17, 19-21, 23-21. In doubles, the Canadian teams faced strong challenges from a pair of American teams.
In Women’s doubles, Canadians Jackie Dent and Crystal Lai faced Americans Francesca Corbett and Jennie Gai in the semi-finals. The Canadian pair had trouble getting going in the first game eventually losing 21-4. In game two, the pair worked hard to put pressure on the #2 American duo coming up short 22-20. In the end Dent and Lai came away with a bronze medal.
In Men’s doubles, Kevin Lee and Ty Lindeman beat Americans Arden Quan Lee and Stanley Xing 21-15,
21-15 in the semi-finals to guaranteeing a shot at gold. Their opponents were the #1 team in the
tournament Chen Zhi Yi and Presley Smith. The American duo has been winning tournaments in the Pan
Am region regularly and are currently ranked #28 in the world. In the finals Lee and Lindeman put up a
brave effort but were overwhelmed 21-13, 21-8 to secure the silver medal.
The success of Canadians eight medals at Pan Am Championships came after taking gold at the Pan
American Male & Female Cup 2026 in February to qualify for the BWF Thomas & Uber Cups Finals 2026
in Demark at the end of April 2026. Top Canadian players will also be in action this summer on home soil during the Yonex Canada Open 2026 at the Markham Pan Am Centre from June 30 to July 5.
