NATIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED IN BADMINTON

The 2025 CCAA Badminton National Championships wrapped up on Saturday, at The King's University in Edmonton, Alta., with a day full of intense matchups and standout performances. The competition featured some of the best collegiate badminton players in the country, many of whom were defending their titles or making impressive debuts on the national stage.

In the mixed doubles final, Mahdi Ahmadi and Melissa Roque secured gold with a strong victory over Dhruvkumar Raval and Sherry Wu (Humber). Ahmadi, now a two-time mixed doubles champion, showed his experience and control throughout the match, while Roque, a rookie making her CCAA debut, displayed remarkable composure under pressure. Roque's impressive performance throughout the tournament had already caught the attention of many, and her victory alongside Ahmadi cemented her as one of the most promising newcomers in the league. Meanwhile, Sydney Arseneault and Krishna Bhatta, last year's silver medalists, put up a strong fight in the semifinals before ultimately securing the bronze medal. Though they fell just short of their previous result, their consistency over the past two seasons highlights their strength as a doubles pair.

In the women's doubles final, Humber College's Shruti Joshi and Ayushi Vasava claimed the championship after defeating Anna and Rachel Gillies in a well-fought match. Joshi and Vasava had been dominant throughout the tournament, and their chemistry on the court was evident as they controlled the pace of the final. The Gillies sisters fought hard but ultimately couldn't match the precision and speed of their opponents. In the bronze medal match, Kaylee Choi and Sarah Song (George Brown) earned a place on the podium after overcoming Archelle Ouano and Ziyu Kong in a competitive contest.

The men's doubles final saw Paul Ouano and Carl Canillo claim gold with a decisive win over Anthony Tso and Jordan Lau (Seneca). Ouano, now a two-time men's doubles champion, showcased his leadership and experience, guiding his partner through a match that required both patience and power. Tso and Lau had a strong tournament run but couldn't find the extra push needed to take down the eventual champions. In the bronze medal match, Jonathan Su and Raphael Motel secured third place, putting together a solid performance to cap off their tournament.

In women's singles, Ritu Shah once again proved why she is the most dominant player in her category, claiming her third consecutive CCAA championship title with a victory over Emma Tran. Shah controlled the match from start to finish, using her well-rounded game to force errors from Tran, who fought hard but couldn't keep up with Shah's pace. Akshaya Jayakeerthi finished strong in the bronze medal match, securing third place after a determined performance.

The men's singles final saw a changing of the guard as Timothy Lock (Humber) defeated last year's champion, Thomas Ashton, in a thrilling match. Lock had been in top form throughout the tournament and saved his best for last, using a mix of aggressive play and smart shot placement to take down the defending champion. Ashton, who had been hoping to retain his title, gave everything he had but ultimately fell short against Lock's relentless attack. Meanwhile, Hossein Ahmadi claimed the bronze medal after a strong showing in the third-place match, adding to his growing list of accomplishments.

The 2025 CCAA Badminton Championships showcased an incredible level of talent, with veterans defending their legacies and rising stars making their mark. As the season comes to a close, the performances from this year's tournament have set a high bar for what's to come in the next edition of the championship.

Source: King's Eagles/CCAA Communications