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“I’m very proud and I’m very grateful that I have the chance and the opportunity to just put badminton on the map in Canada,” Lai told the Star. “This is just a chance to inspire new kids to start.

“Or the ones who are on the edge of competing in more tournaments nationally and internationally, I think I am very lucky that I can inspire them and show them that someone from Canada can do it.”

The closest Canada had come to a podium at a top-level badminton event before Lai was in 2012, when Michelle Li and Alex Bruce finished fourth in women’s doubles at the London Olympics.

Lai, who was born in Scarborough and grew up in Markham, started playing badminton when he was eight years old. But this has been his breakout year. He won the Pan American championship in April and was runner-up at the Canada Open Super 300, a World Tour event, in July. He won gold again at the Junior Pan American Games in Paraguay last month, and added silver in mixed doubles with Rachel Chan.

He attributes this year’s success to his growth. He now weighs about 152 pounds and his height is slightly above six feet.

“I got a lot stronger and faster,” Lai said. “That’s what was lacking in my game. I have always played smart with good skills but my physicality lacked, and my opponents could overpower me.”

Not in Paris. Lai was down 17-12 in the opening set of his quarterfinal with Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, the 2021 world champion, but gathered himself to win in straight sets, 22-20 and 21-18.

He stood his ground against Shi, too, taking the opening set from the world No. 1. He was on the verge of upsetting Shi in the second until the Chinese star made an incredible shot at the net that swung the momentum his way.

“This has been an amazing week for Victor and Canadian badminton,” said Canada head coach Mike Butler, a former Olympian. “He showed that he can compete with the best in the world on the biggest stage. He secured our first world championship medal and was a point away from playing for gold.

“He showed such composure under these circumstances and (he’s) only 20 years old. He has a great future ahead of him.”

Lai is headed to Hong Kong, his parents’ birthplace, for another major tournament next week. His goals are simple. He is ranked 35th in the world but has his eyes on the top 10.  He wants to qualify for, and medal at, the Olympics, and he hopes to move up a step or two at the world championships.

“Since I already got bronze, I know the feeling of being on the podium,” he said. “It really motivates me seeing other players above me, I really want to achieve that.”