Victor Lai Diary: A Year Ago, Walking on the Clouds

There is a trace of wistfulness in Victor Lai’s voice as he recounts his magical week from a year ago at the BWF World Championships 2025.

He is of course a far more accomplished player than the version that came to Paris and took down one higher-rated opponent after another, before nearly toppling eventual champion Shi Yu Qi in a sensational semifinal.

“I’d say one thing that might be worse is, last year at the Worlds I had absolutely no pressure, so that feeling of relaxation and that… freedom, I will never feel that freedom again.

“The freedom to do what I want was so big last year because I really had no expectation. I have never felt so free to play (certain) shots in a game.

“I would say that freedom, especially in that match, at that moment, the freedom of how I played will never happen again. And there were some shots I did in that Worlds that it’s going to be hard to produce again, and the way I was playing… so free.

“And I felt like I knew where my opponent was going to hit, knew what I was going to do, and could change what I wanted, and I didn’t make any easy mistakes. I was defending everything… that freedom was just like… I thought I was walking on the clouds.”

Despite the wistfulness, there is much that he can cherish of his journey. In the 12 months since the World Championships, Lai has gone far beyond what he once thought possible. He’s won the Indonesia Open (a first for Canada), played two other Super 1000 semifinals, and broken into the top 10 (another first for Canadian men’s singles).

“I just learned so much more,” he says. “Last year I only had experience playing top guys maybe two or three matches before the Worlds. The main thing is handling changes throughout the day. Like the first thing, obviously, is the drift. Maybe after 11 points the changes, or the shuttles getting quick or slow. I’ve learned how to adapt a little bit better. I’m still learning, I’m not the best at it, but I think I’m trusting my technical and my tactical skills a bit more throughout the game.”

Follow Lai’s Journey Here Throughout the BWF World Championships 2026