Canada Punches Its Ticket to the 2027 Pan American Games Following 2026 Championship Results

After a week of competition in Asunción, Paraguay, Canada collected three medals at the 2026 Pan American Senior Championships, and most importantly, qualification for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru (July 23 – August 8, 2027).

Seeded second, the Women’s Team (Hollie Naughton, Nicole Bunyan, Zeina Zein and Nikole Todd) received a bye straight into the Quarterfinals, locking in a Top 8 finish and automatic qualification for Lima 2027. The squad went on to beat Brazil (2 – 0) and then Colombia (2 – 1), setting up a final against the United States. Canada battled to the very end but came up short, bringing home a well-earned silver medal.

The Men’s Team (David Baillargeon, Connor Turk, George Crowne, and Wasey Maqsood) began their campaign in the Round of 16, where a win over Guatemala carried them into the Quarterfinals and secured Canada’s spot at the 2027 Games. There, they ran into the United States and dropped a close 1 – 2 matchup. The team regrouped in the consolation draw, defeating Jamaica (2 – 1) and Peru (2 – 0) to finish fifth.

In the Individual Event, Hollie, Nicole and Zeina each reached the Quarterfinals, with Hollie being the only one to advance to the Semifinals, ultimately finishing with a bronze medal.

David Baillargeon, Connor Turk and Wasey Maqsood also represented Canada in the Men’s Individual draw, each exiting in the early rounds.

In the Women’s Doubles, Hollie Naughton and Nikole Todd reached the Semifinals before being edged out, finishing 3/4 for a bronze medal. Nicole Bunyan and George Crowne met the eventual gold medallists in the Quarterfinals of the Mixed Doubles event and finished the event 5/8. While David Baillargeon and Wasey Maqsood exited early in the Men’s Doubles event.

The stakes for Lima 2027 reach beyond the Pan American Games itself. The 2027 Games mark the first qualifying event for Pan American squash players eyeing a spot at the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. With Canada’s place in Lima locked in, this performance puts Canadian athletes one step closer to the sport’s Olympic debut.