The University of Toronto Varsity Blues badminton team raised over $11,000 at the third annual badminton marathon on Sunday, December 20 at the Athletic Centre Sports Gym.

The 12-hour event saw 60 participants representing 25 clubs from Ontario and Quebec. A total of 330 games were played with many Varsity Blues players each playing in more than 25 games.

Event Winners:

Junior Boys Doubles – Mark Chang/Raymond Zhang (Varsity Blues) def. Clifton Leung/Ben Ouyang (Varsity Blues) 21-17

Junior Girls Doubles – Jessamine Chang/Natasha Wong (Erindale junior) def. Nirosha Damboragama/Josee Matte (Erindale/Varsity Blues) 21-16, 21-14

Open Men’s Doubles – Phil Bennington/Kyle Thompson (U of T alumi/Guelph) def. Calvin Cheng/Raymond Zhang (Varsity Blues) 21-18, 21-7

Open Women’s Doubles – Melissa Hill/Lin Wang (Varsity Blues) def. Juliet Huang/Josee Matte (Varsity Blues) 21-14, 21-17

Open Women’s Singles – Melissa Hill (Varsity Blues) def. Shilin Cheung (Varsity Blues) 21-17, 21-11

Open Men’s Singles Division IA – Calvin Cheng (U of T alumi) def. Sean MacPherson (Varsity Blues) 17-10, injury default

Open Men’s Singles Division IB – Mike Lawler (Varsity Blues) def. Graeme MacInnes (Varsity Blues) 21-12, 28-26

Full Results

Following the marathon, six members of the U of T’s badminton team were invited to take part in a two-day (Dec. 21-22) coaching symposium designed by Blues head coach Wayne King.

Juliet Huang, Michelle Chow, Tonia Kwok, Dustin Yu, Clifton Leung and Mark Chang focused on the development of skills and strategy through simulations and match play with high-school age juniors and their coaches.

For more information, scores and highlights on your favourite Toronto teams, please visit the home of the Varsity Blues at http://www.varsityblues.ca.