The University of Toronto Varsity Blues is proud to announce that badminton sensation Michelle Li will be competing for the Blue and White in the upcoming 2009 OUA season.

Li (Richmond Hill, Ont.) is currently the number one under-19 female player in Canada in both singles and doubles. She is also ranked number one in open women’s doubles, number three in women’s open singles and fifth in open mixed doubles.

“Michelle is undoubtedly the most accomplished badminton athlete to attend the University of Toronto,” said badminton head coach Wayne King. “We now have that impact player that we have been missing – that person who can lead by example and dominate any court they step on.”

A member of Lee’s Training Centre in Markham, Ont., Li most recently defeated 2008 Olympic top-eight finalist Anna Rice 23-21, 19-21, 21-10 in the final of the British Columbia senior elite tournament (Sept. 19-20).

In July, the first-year life science student reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Li is an 11-time provincial champion, six-time national champion and was named the 2006-07 Badminton Canada athlete of the year.

Li’s international reputation has grown exponentially over the past two years. She won two gold medals at the 2007 Pan American Junior Games in singles and doubles and went on to later claim gold in the team event at the Pan American Games in 2008. Li also won a doubles silver medal at the 2008 Commonwealth Games.

The Varsity Blues badminton team opens up their 2009 season this weekend (Sept. 26-27), travelling to the Université de Laval for the second annual Ontario/Quebec Challenge.

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