Medals, awards highlight Trojans return to ACAC

CALGARY, ALTA., (Feb. 21, 2023) - SAIT's return to Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) badminton was not only long overdue, but fruitful as well.

This past weekend at the ACAC Badminton Championships, hosted by Concordia University of Edmonton, saw the Trojans earn medals in all five disciplines - men's singles, women's singles, men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles.

"To say we expected this would be a fabrication, but we are certainly excited for what this means for the SAIT Trojans badminton program going forward," said Wade Kolmel, SAIT's Director of Athletics and Recreation. "All credit goes to coach Austin Liaw for taking the existing talent we had on campus and producing the results that he did."

The weekend started with men's players Sanskar Chopra and Jason Chiu earning silver and bronze, respectively, in the men's singles event. The two teamed up the next day and won gold in men's doubles - becoming the first Trojans men's doubles team to win ACAC gold since Brad Alton and David Fehr did so nearly 30 years ago in 1994-95.

Chopra was also honoured with an ACAC All-Conference selection for his strong play throughout the year.

On the women's side, Taylor Burton earned bronze medals in women's singles and women's doubles - with partner Carmen Wong. Wong, who was named the ACAC's Female Rookie of the Year, also earned a bronze medal in the mixed doubles event with partner Gurmanjot Singh.

"Badminton is not just an individual sport; it is very much a team sport. This past weekend proved that; the immense pressure to shoulder a win for the team on every player from all colleges was observed," said Liaw. "I am so very proud of my Trojans who rose to the challenge."