Michelle Li claims 2 badminton titles at Canadian National Championships

Michelle Li showed why she's Canada's highest ranked badminton player — currently No. 15 in the world — as she won her sixth national title in singles and combined with Rachel Honderich, whom she defeated in singles, to take the doubles crown as well.

The Yonex Canadian National Championships wrapped up in Winnipeg Saturday, crowning champions in five event categories: women's and men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

Li, 24, from Markham, Ont. defeated Honderich in the women's singles, 21-15, 21-9. It was a rematch of the 2015 Pan Am Games badminton final also won by Li.

Li also won the 2014 Commonwealth Games women's singles title along with the Canada Open Grand Prix that year, a first by a Canadian.

Li and Honderich dropped the first set in the women's doubles final 19-21 to Alex Bruce and Phyllis Chan, the top-ranked duo, but rebounded to win the next two by a score of 21-17, 21-10.

Second-ranked Jason Ho-Shue toppled Andrew Souza in straight sets, 21-12, 21-18, to take the men's singles championship.

In men's doubles, Adrian Liu and Derrick Ng scored a straight-sets decision over Philippe Charron and Toby Ng, 21-19, 21-18.

Ng teamed up with Alex Bruce to claim the mixed doubles title over Charron and Chan, 21-16, 21-23, 21-18.

Though Olympic spots were not at stake in Winnipeg, it's an important date on the athletes' calendars because attending — and doing well — provides benefits in terms of getting resources. Athletes' performances help Badminton Canada decide who gets carding and financial assistance. Also available are sponsors packages which can include clothing, equipment and travel subsidies.

Ten players will be chosen for the national team, which will be solidified in May. Badminton Canada will announce the seven players selected for the Olympic team in April.