On a busy first day at the 2024 YONEX Canadian University College Badminton Championship, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues badminton team went undefeated in team competition, advancing to the gold medal match tomorrow morning.

In pool play action to begin the national showcase event, Toronto earned victories over Laval (5-0), Ontario Tech (4-1), and Montreal (5-0). The three match sweep secured first place for U of T in Pool B, sending them to a semifinal match with a familiar opponent in York. Facing off with the Lions, who finished second in Pool A with a 2-1 pool play record, the Blues were able to once again knock off their GTA-rivals with a 3-1 result.

On the court, the duo of Jacqueline Cheung and Ryan Zheng led the way for the Blues. Cheung earned wins in four different matches, picking up two victories in women's doubles, a mixed doubles win, and a singles victory. Meanwhile, Zheng teamed up with three different partners in four mixed doubles victories, pairing with Cheung versus York, Jackie Dent versus Ontario Tech, and Rebecca Lee versus Laval and Montreal.

Toronto will go for team gold versus the host Waterloo Warriors tomorrow (Mar. 14) morning with the championship final scheduled to begin at 9 a.m.

Pool A
Waterloo - 3-0
York - 2-1 
Sherbrooke - 1-2
UQAM - 0-3
 
Pool B
Toronto - 3-0
Montreal - 2-1
Laval - 1-2
Ont. Tech - 0-3

Semifinals
Toronto def. York - 3-1
Waterloo def. Montreal - 3-1