May 3, 2026

GHS GRYPYONS BIRD, PATEL GO UNDEFEATED TO WIN GOLD AT OFSAA BADMINTON CHAMPIONSHIPS SATURDAY IN MARKHAM

MARKHAM — What a way to go out!

Undefeated at OFSAA in their final badminton games of their high school career.

And don’t stop them there.

After scoring gold medals yesterday afternoon in Markham, Om Patel and Cam Bird were up early today winning a pair of morning basketball games with the South Muskoka Breakers in Orillia.

But less than 24 hours before that, after sweeping the Muskoka-Parry Sound and Georgian Bay badminton champions four years running, the Gravenhurst High School Gryphons went unbeaten this weekend in three days of play in the Ontario provincial finals.

It’s the first OFSAA badminton championship for a GHS team. With teams competing from across the province at all school levels regardless of school size.

The Grade 12 students swept the high school division after three years waiting. They’ve been competing together since kids and all the way through high school from Grade 9.

This weekend they won all their matches in two of three games with none going to a fourth game or longer, said coach Corry Ziorjen Sunday who was assisted on the bench by Curt Hillman.

Beating the York Region representatives Jaden Nguyen and Alex Jiang.

There was also a separate open class this year that included top club players who are provincially- or nationally ranked.

**OFSSA champs Om Patel and Cam Bird having been competing since Grade 9, winning the first provincial badminton championship for the Gravenhurst High School. PHOTO GHS**

With their parents and grandparents — Mandy and Roger Bird and Mukesh and Vina Patel — cheering them on.

Bonnie and Bruce Dart (Bird’s grandparents) posted this online today:

“What a thrill to watch Cam and Om capture gold at the Pan Am Sports Centre yesterday.

“They delivered an incredible performance and remained completely undefeated throughout the tournament.

“Their determination, composure, and solid teamwork were on full display every step of the way.

“Congratulations, Cam and Om, on an outstanding achievement—you’ve made us all incredibly proud.”

Patel’s dad, too, added: “It’s so exciting for the family, school and the community.”

Ziorgen said no doubt they Bird and Patel will win some honours early in June at the GHS sports banquet.

The champs, their families and coaches went out for a celebratory dinner in Markham after the medals presentation, before they returned home and the players got up today to compete with a basketball instead of a birdie.