Andrew D’Souza

Biography

Andrew D’Souza is Canada’s top-ranked male singles player and the 2015 Canadian champion. In 2011 he had the chance to train in India for two months at the prestigious Gopichand Badminton Academy with members of the Indian national team. He went on to compete at the 2011 and 2012 BWF World Junior Championships. In his first year at the senior level D’Souza was selected to represent Canada at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, his first international multi-sport competition. But as a self-funded athlete he had to raise the money for his travel expenses to Glasgow by holding an exhibition tournament. Virtually unknown on the world scene, D’Souza advanced to the round of 16 where he lost to eventual bronze medallist R V Gurusaidutt of India. D’Souza got to experience multi-sport competition again at the 2015 Canada Games where he won silver in the men’s singles and helped Ontario win team gold.

PERSONAL

Family: Parents Anil and Brenda D’Souza… Older sister Natasha… Getting into the Sport: Started playing badminton at age 12 but didn’t really like it at first… Fully committed to the sport after losing in the first round at a provincial tournament… It was unacceptable in his mind to be that bad, motivating him to practice more… Outside Interests: Finished third year of Honours Bachelor of Science degree (Human Kinetics) at the University of Ottawa… Donates to the Canadian Diabetes Association…   Enjoys playing different sports… Coaches badminton part time… Odds and Ends: Favourite quote: “I am the greatest, I said that before I even knew I was”… Listens to music while warming up so other people won’t talk to him… His parents and grandmother are his biggest influences for teaching him to always be positive, no matter the situation… Nickname: Dsouz… Always travels with some notes that someone very close gave to him…

NOTABLE INTERNATIONAL RESULTS

CWG: 2014 – Rd of 16 (singles), Rd of 32 (doubles)

PAC: 2014 – QF (singles)

BWF WCh (junior): 2012 – Rd of 64 (singles); 2011 – Rd of 128 (singles)