CCAA BADMINTON NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FINALS SET

After a series of very competitive semi-final matches the bronze and gold medal matches have been set for the 2013 CCAA Badminton National Championship hosted by Georgian College in Barrie, Ont.

Top-ranked men's single player Dan Kai of the NAIT Ooks from the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference was able to defeat fourth-seeded Pat Thompson representing the wildcard Pacwest team in two straight sets 21-12 and 21-18.

In what was likely the game of the semi-finals was the rematch between Langara College's Jason Sun and Humber College's Tim Chiu. After an hour and two minute battle in the round robin, both competitors pushed each other to the limit once again. After Chiu took the opening set 21-12, Sun was able to get back into the game with a big 21-17 win to send the match to a third and final set. In the final match Sun, a native of Taiwan, was able to pull out a 21-10 set win to take the match 2-1.

This sets up a gold medal match between Kai and Sun for the gold medal. Kai was the winner of their first match 2-1 in what lines up to be an excellent rematch. Chiu will face Pat Thompson for the bronze medal.

In the women's singles RuiLin Huang of Douglas College kept rolling defeating Valerie Breen from Boreal College 2-0 (21-5, 21-5). Melissa Liew from Vancouver Island University defeated Carol Dela Cerna from Seneca College 2-0 (21-13, 21-15) to set up an all Pacwest conference gold medal match.

The two top teams will meet in men's doubles for the gold medal after undefeated Nathan Choi and Wei (Ray) Luo made quick work of the team of Jimin Jung and Ian Tang of Seneca College by a 2-0 score (21-6, 21-8). They will meet Willis Kwee and Andy Wong representing Kwantlen in an all Pacwest conference gold medal matchup. Kwee and Wong were able to get past NAIT's Andy Ko and Jason Chou in the semis by a 2-0 score (21-16, 21-12). Meanwhile Jimin Jung and Ian Tang will meet Ko and Chou in the bronze medal match.

In women's doubles, favourites from Humber College Tracy Wong and Renee Yip defeated the host team from Georgian College of Rebecca Trischler and Carolyn Tubman 2-0 (21-12, 21-11) to earn a spot in the final. They will face the team of Amy Leung and Charmagne Yeung from Douglas College whose only loss in the championship came from their opposition from Humber. Leung and Yeung defeated Ellexis Lathan and Renee Au 2-0 (21-13, 21-12) in the semi-finals.

The mixed doubles bracket continued the trend with all the top seeded teams winning in the semi-finals. Lei Chen and Jessica Yu of NAIT defeated the fourth seed from Humber College in Ryan Chow and Suzy Yan 2-0 (21-13, 21-14) to earn a spot in the gold medal game. Ashley Jan and Matt Downton earned their spot for a chance at gold after defeating Pacwest rivals Chris (Kai Chiu) Chung and Paulina (Chien Min) Hsu 2-0 (21-14, 21-12). Lei Chen and Jessica Yu won the round robin match in a tight 2-1 game.

Saturday's action begins with the bronze medal and fifth/sixth place matches beginning at 10 a.m.  The gold medal matches will take centre stage at the Georgian College Athletic Centre at 1 p.m.  Fans are encouraged to attend the finals live but you can catch the games streamed live at sportslive.ca.

Source: Georgian College