Badminton Canada – Ottawa ON – Team Canada won the 20th Pan American Badminton Championships in Campinhas, Brazil defeating the host nation Brazil in the finals 3-2. In the first match of the gold medal tie, Brittney Tam (Markham ON) defeated Lohaynny Vicente in women’s singles 2-1 (13-21, 21-14, 19-21). In men’s singles Ygor Coelho defeated Canadian Jason Ho-Shue (Markham ON) 2-1 (18-21, 21-15, 21-11). In women’s doubles, the Brazilian sisters of Lohaynny and Luana Vicente sisters defeated the Canadian duo of Stephanie Pakenham (Quebec, QC) and Josephine Wu (Edmonton AB) 2-0 (21-17, 21-12).

The fourth match of the contest was a must win situation for Canada being down 2 to 1.The  Canadian men’s doubles pair of Phil Gaumond (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC) and Maxime Marin (Montreal QC)  came through  for Canada in a hard won battle over the Brazilian pair of Daniel Paiola/Hugo Arthuso , defeating them 24-22, 15-21, 27-25. Finally,  in the decisive fifth match, the Canadian mixed doubles pair  of Nyl Yakura (Pickering ON) and  Brittney Tam beat Alex Tjong/Luana Vicente 2-1(21-19, 10-21, 21-18).

“This was a very young Canadian team and they demonstrated grit and determination coming back from a 2-1 deficit  to win the gold medal, stated Head Coach Ram Nayyar (Vancouver, BC). “Days like today are what make good players’ great.” 

In the contest for the bronze medal, Peru defeated Jamaica 3-0. The individual portion of the Pan Am Badminton Championship will run through the rest of the week and weekend in Campinhas, Brazil.

Team Canada Roster

• Jason HoShue – Markham, Ontario
• Nyl Yakura – Pickering, Ontario
• Philippe Gaumond – Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec
• Maxime Marin – Montreal,  Quebec
• Brittney Tam – Markham, Ontario
• Michelle Tong – Markham, Ontartio
• Josephine Wu – Edmonton, Alberta
• Stéphanie Pakenham – Quebec City, Quebec
• Ram Nayyar (Coach) – Vancouver, British Columbia

About Badminton Canada

Badminton Canada is the national governing body of the sport of badminton in Canada. Our mission is to be an innovative and highly respected sports organization that is the leader in contributing to badminton becoming the most successful racquet sport in Canada and the world by enabling Canadian Athletes, Coaches and Officials of all ages, cultural background and skill level the opportunity to excel in badminton and in life.  For further information, visit www.badminton.ca.