Victor Lai is a Canadian badminton player who plays right-handed. He was born on December 19, 2004. He reached the semifinals of the 2025 BWF World Championships and won the first-ever World Championships medal for Canada.
| Full Name | Victor Lai |
| Country | Canada |
| Residence | – |
| Born | 19 December 2004 |
| Height | 1.84 m |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Coach | – |
| Prize Money | US$11,960 |
| Career Titles | – |
| Highest Ranking | – |
| Current Ranking | 50 | Men’s Singles (26 August 2025) |
Career Highlights 🏆
2025
Lai’s 2025 season has been particularly successful, marked by several significant results:
- Pan American Champion: He won the men’s singles title at the 2025 Pan American Championships.
- Canada Open Success: He reached his first BWF World Tour final at the 2025 Canada Open, a Super 300 event. His journey included a major upset over world No. 7 Kodai Naraoka in the semifinals.
- BWF World Championships: Lai continued his stunning run at the 2025 BWF World Championships, where he first upset the 11th seed Lu Guang Zu to reach the Round of 16. He then defeated South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok-jin to advance to the quarter-finals, where he achieved a monumental victory by ousting 2021 champion Loh Kean Yew. This win propels him into the semi-finals and guarantees him at least a bronze medal, securing the first-ever medal for Canada in the tournament’s history.
- Other Notable Finishes: He also advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 U.S. Open.
Beyond the Court 🎓
Lai’s dedication extends beyond badminton. He is a third-year health student at York University, where he has also been recognized for his athletic and academic achievements. In 2023, he was named both the OUA Men’s Badminton Rookie of the Year and York’s Male Rookie of the Year.
He’s also been a prominent representative for his country, having been a flag bearer for Team Canada at both the 2025 Junior Pan American Games and the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU Summer World University Games. Lai is known for his outstanding sportsmanship, making him a role model for aspiring athletes.