Bennington Heights Rachel Honderich has won the silver medal in women’s badminton at the Pan Am Games. She earned it in a hard-fought match with her friend and fellow Canadian Michelle Li who took the gold Li had been the favorite going into the unusual all-Canadian event. She is 23 compared to Honderich’s 19. The match late Thursday held enormous interest for South Bayview residents and the many friends of the Hondercih family in Bennington Heights. Hugh Grant, head of the residents association and his wife Trudy messaged the following.
Rachel, you performed with great distinction at the Pan Am Games, and won Silver in the Badminton Singles Championship.
Your exploits were followed by many of our neighbours, and you should know that Bennington Heights is proud of you.
Thank you for being a fine representative of our community
There seems little doubt that Rachel Honderich is now poised to excel further in her chosen sport. She has leaped from a world ranking of 134 last November to her present 56. Li, a Hong Kong born Canadian from Markham, is ranked 15 in the world. Curtis Rush of the Toronto Star has written an excellent article on the friendship and rivalry of these fine young women.