Badminton’s James Ho (Surrey) is not only a talented athlete but also an accomplished pianist. Just before Ho stepped onto the badminton court for his first game today the 2015 Canada Winter Games singles bronze medalist was stroking the piano keys and entertaining on-lookers in the lobby of the Macdonald Island Park facility.
Hopping up from the piano bench, he took the court and joined his partner Joshua Liu (Vancouver) in victories against Yukon's men's doubles team (21-9 and 21-5) and Saskatchewan's men's doubles team (21-8 and 21-6).
The individual match was Ho's toughest of the day, and he had to make some mid-game adjustments to his style of play in order to pull out the win.
"I always play my best style and if it doesn't work, I do something else,” said Ho as BC went on to beat Yukon 9-0. “It didn't work this time."
His teammates pulled off similar victories, winning every match they each played. Strong individual women's showings from Samantha Zheng (Vancouver) and Kylie Cheng (Vancouver) helped round off a great day for Team BC.
"What I love about badminton is that there's never just one style of play, everybody's different - it's very unique that way," Ho said. "Nobody likes to do the same thing over and over!"
The team wrapped up their opening day with their third win over Northwest Territories to remain undefeated. Read more…
The start of the second phase of the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games picked right up where Phase 1 athletes left it – winning medals.
Team BC had a successful opening day of competition in the pool at MacDonald Island Park combining for 26 medals (11 gold, nine silver and six bronze). Tai Long Singh (Point Roberts) stepped on to the top of the podium three times after winning gold in the 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke and the 800m freestyle relay. Ian Jay-Ralston (Campbell River) excelled in the pool in para swimming, winning gold in both the 100m freestyle and 100m backstroke. Mackenzie Padington (Campbell River) won gold in the 400m individual medley and the 800m freestyle alongside teammates Molly Gowans (Victoria), Megan Dalke (Kamloops), and Jessie Gibson (Abbotsford). Gowans also won gold in the 1500m freestyle earlier in the morning. Jesse Shade (Campbell River) took gold in the 100m freestyle and 50m backstroke race for Special Olympics.
Triathletes had their first day on the difficult course out at Anzac and Gregoire Lake. Desirae Ridenour (Cowichan Bay), a 2014 BC Summer Games athlete, took home silver in the women’s individual race crossing in 1:06.56. In the men’s race Michael Milic (Delta) crossed for silver in 59.15, just 0.02 seconds back of the leader. Brennen Smith was close behind finishing fourth in 1:00.14. Read more…
Team BC’s women’s volleyball team hit the court today with two matches and two wins in round-robin play. In a morning tilt with Yukon the women powered through the match winning in convincing style 3-0 (25-5, 25-8, 25-16). Later BC beat the Northwest Territories again 3-0 (25-13, 25-1, 25-10). In men’s volleyball BC went undefeated in their opening games beating Saskatchewan 3-0 and later that night beating Manitoba 3-2.
In soccer the Team BC women started Pool A action off well with a convincing 15-0 win over the Northwest Territories. Harneet Dadrao (Surrey) scored four goals in less than 13 minutes in the win. The men’s team also were victorious after they beat the Yukon 11-0. The BC men will play Saskatchewan in their final Pool B game on Aug. 15. Winners of the respective pools will play each other for gold, while second-place finishers in pool play will play for bronze.
In baseball the Team BC men won 11-0 over Saskatchewan in five innings to advance to a 2-0 record in round-robin play. BC sits atop the standings with four points, while Alberta and Manitoba are both 1-1 with two points. Fynn Chester (Victoria) threw one hitter in four innings in the win. In their last match-up of the day BC lost out marginally to Alberta 6-5 in the seventh inning and will regroup for their next set of round-robin games on Aug. 14.
Team BC went to extra innings in women’s softball before coming out on top 2-1 over Manitoba in their opening game of round-robin play. Against Saskatchewan, Team BC was again successful winning 11-6 before going on to make it an undefeated day winning 9-6 over Alberta in eight innings.
Phase 2 sports continue on Aug. 14 and this will also include the start of golf and rowing competition.
For more Team BC news from today, click on the sport links in our side menu. Daily recaps for each sport are available.
Coach & Family Appreciation Night
All coaches, family members of Team BC athletes, and Team BC supporters are welcome to attend this social event and recognition night where we take a moment to thank you for all you have done to support our Team BC athletes. Plan to join us for a fun night of light refreshments, coach tributes, and prizes! This is a great opportunity to meet fellow families that have travelled to Wood Buffalo, and to purchase your Team BC Merchandise! (Cash or Cheque Only)
Please Join Us!
Date: Friday, August 14 7 - 9 pm
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, 9317 Huggard Street
Party at the Plaza
Looking to experience some local culture? Join the Party in the Plaza, complete with local entertainment and a cultural festival. Two more nights remain, August 14 and 15 from 6:30 – 9:00pm, Jubilee Plaza, Downtown Fort McMurray.
For the full calendar of Cultural Events taking place at the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games, view the Culture and Festivals Program.
Tune into the Action
The official broadcaster of the 2015 Western Canada Summer Games, Rogers SportsNet is on location in Wood Buffalo. Daily highlight clips air every night on Sportsnet Central, 11pm MT on Sportsnet One. Tune in live or watch previous clips here.
Check out some live coverage of the volleyball competitions taking place here in Wood Buffalo available through SportsCanada.TV
Tomorrow's Schedule
08:45 Golf Individual Male Round #1
08:45 Golf Team Male Round #1
09:30 Swimming Heats
09:30 Swimming Para Sport Finals
09:30 Swimming Special Olympics Finals
09:45 Golf Individual Female Round #1
09:45 Golf Team Female Round #1
10:00 Softball Female BC vs SK
10:30 Rowing Men's 8 plus Coxswain (TT)
10:40 Rowing Women's Single (TT)
10:50 Rowing Women's Pair (TT)
11:00 Baseball BC vs MB
11:00 Volleyball Indoor Male - BC vs YK
12:00 Badminton Team Competition Mix BC vs MB
12:45 Volleyball Indoor Female AB vs BC
13:30 Rowing Women's 8 plus Coxswain (TT)
13:40 Rowing Men's Double (TT)
14:00 Softball Female AB vs BC
14:20 Rowing Women's Four (TT)
14:30 Rowing Men's Four (TT)
14:45 Volleyball Indoor Male AB vs BC
15:00 Badminton Team Competition Mix BC vs NU
16:30 Rowing Women's Quad (TT)
16:40 Rowing Men's 8 plus Coxswain (B Final)
17:15 Rowing Men's 8 plus Coxswain (A Final)
17:30 Swimming Finals
18:00 Softball Female BC vs MB
18:30 Volleyball Indoor Female BC vs SK
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