SCARBOROUGH, ONTARIO
In a thrilling display of skill, determination, and sportsmanship, the Centennial Colts Badminton team hosted the OCAA Badminton Provincial Tournament. The competition was fierce, with teams showcasing putting their all into reaching the podium, making for an unforgettable event. The Centennial Colts made waves with several outstanding performances, securing medals in various categories. The Mixed Doubles team of Ranjana Bhatt and Roney Roy brought home a well-deserved silver. The silver in Mixed Doubles is the second silver in consecutive years, with Ninh Le and Deniesse Scott accomplishing the feat last year.
In Women's Singles, Prarthana Deuba showcased her prowess by clinching a silver medal. She had be consistently top 2 all year, and this achievement held special significance as it was the first silver in Women's Singles for the Colts since Yan Zhou's nabbed silve in the 2013-2014 season. Deuba's outstanding performance highlighted her dedication to the sport and contributed to the women's team's overall success.
The Women's Doubles category saw Rini Chiu and Carolyn Luk secure a bronze medal, marking the first time the Colts won a medal in this discipline since 1986. Jasmine Lau continued the Colts' success by winning a bronze medal in Women's Singles, a feat never before achieved in the history of Colts badminton. Lau's remarkable performance showcased the team's depth and talent, contributing to their teams superb play.
One of a number highlights of the event was the historic win in the Women's Team competition, marking the first time the Colts Women's badminton team clinched a provincial title. Their journey from regional success to provincial victory showcased their resilience and commitment to excellence, establishing a new chapter in Colts Badminton history.
In the Men's Singles category, Colin Zhou made history by going back-to-back to gold, a feat not achieved by a Colts player since Colts Hall-of-famer - Nathaniel Allard accomplished the achievement in 2005 and 2006. Zhou's exceptional skill and determination were on full display, making him a standout performer in the tournament.
The match of the year undoubtedly belonged to Colin Zhou, and Timothy Lock, the reigning Player of the Year. Throughout the year, Lock had dominated the OCAA, defeating the current National Champion Zhou at Fanshawe earlier in the year and again during round-robin play at provincials. In an intense three-set battle, Zhou showcased the heart of a champion, combining it with his elite reflective, killer instincts, and tactical wizardry on the court, ultimately overcoming Lock and securing a victory.
The Centennial Colts' success at the OCAA Badminton Provincial Tournament solidifies their standing as one of the top programs in the province and country. The team's historic achievements will undoubtedly inspire future generations of Colts badminton players, setting the bar higher for the next class of athletes to dawn the green and black.
By Ryan Miller