Team Canada made history at the Pan American Cup 2025, capturing the prestigious title after an incredible victory against Team USA in a thrilling final. This year’s tournament, held in Aguas Calientes, Mexico, from February 13-16, was a fierce competition to determine which team would secure a coveted spot at the TotalEnergies BWF Sudirman Cup Finals 2025 in China.
National Team Head Coach Michael Butler expressed his pride in the team’s performance:
“Canada has achieved our goal of repeating as Pan Am Cup Champions and representing Pan Am at the Sudirman Cup in China in April. I am very pleased with how our team performed. We knew USA and Brazil were going to be tough opponents, and after defeating Mexico and Cuba 5-0 in pool play and taking down Guatemala 3-1 in the semi-finals, we were ready for the final. The match against the USA was a real test, and the team rose to the challenge.”
The final against Team USA was an intense battle. The turning point came in the men’s doubles match, where Kevin Lee and Ty Lindeman triumphed 21-19 in the final game. Michelle Li sealed the victory with a powerful performance in her singles match, bringing Team Canada to a 3-1 win over the United States.
“Everyone on the team contributed to this victory, and I’m incredibly proud of each member’s effort,” said Coach Butler. “It was a total team effort from start to finish.”
The team faced off against formidable opponents from Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the United States, but their skill, strategy, and determination secured their place as the best in the Americas.
Congratulations to Team Canada’s athletes:
- Jacqueline Cheung
- Catherine Choi
- Jackie Dent
- Crystal Lai
- Jonathan Lai
- Victor Lai
- Kevin Lee
- Ty Lindeman
- Josephine Wu
- Eliana Zhang
- Wendy Zhang
- Olympians Michelle Li, Nyl Yakura, and Brian Yang
The Coaching Staff:
- Mike Butler, ChPC, National Team Head Coach
- Kevin Cao, Assistant Coach
- Lynsie Fleming, Physiotherapist
Team Canada’s victory at the Pan American Cup 2025 is a testament to the dedication, teamwork, and talent of Canada’s top badminton players. The team now looks forward to representing the Americas on the world stage at the Sudirman Cup 2025 in China this April.