PAN AM CHAMPS – Toby takes two for Team Canada

Team Canada pulled off a 3-1 victory over the United States in the mixed team final of the Pan Am Badminton Championships.

Photos: Yves Lacroix for Badmintonphoto (archives)

Toby Ng (pictured above) contributed two points, denying Sattawat Pongnairat that distinction.  After Ng and Alex Bruce won the opening mixed, Pongnairat beat Sergiy Shatenko in the men’s singles to even the score.  Pan Am Games gold medallist Michelle Li then won the expected point in women’s singles to give Canada the advantage.

Sattawat Pongnairat (pictured right) then teamed up with Phillip Chew in men’s doubles to attempt to keep Team U.S.A. in the tie but it was  Toby Ng and his brother Derrick who would seal the deal for the Canadians as they won in straight games.

The Canadians’ toughest tie of the tournament was actually in the preliminary round robin, where world #573 Gareth Henry led Jamaica to two points before the Canadians clinched in 3-2.  Jamaica failed to make the final eight, however, and it was Brazil that took third place when they beat Peru 3-1 after both teams had gone down scoreless in the semi-finals.

Mixed team gold medal tie: Canada 3, United States 1
XD: Toby Ng / Alex Bruce (CAN) beat Howard Shu / Eva Lee (USA)  21-18, 13-21, 21-16
MS: Sergiy Shatenko (CAN) lost to Sattawat Pongnairat (USA) 22-20, 17-21, 14-21
WS: Michelle Li (CAN) beat Iris Wang (USA)  21-18, 21-17
MD: Derrick Ng / Toby Ng (CAN) beat Phillip Chew / Sattawat Pongnairat (USA)  21-14, 21-12
WD: Alex Bruce / Phyllis Chan (CAN) vs. Eva Lee / Paula Lynn Obanana (USA) [not played]

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