KUALA LUMPUR, 17 Aug – Three-time World Junior champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn is the new Thailand champion when he stunned top seed, Kantapon Wangcharoen in the final at Thailand National Badminton Championships.
Third-seeded Vitidsarn defeated his better-known opponent in a three-game thriller to clinch a 21-17, 21-23, 21-11 win in an hour to round up a memorable outing in the championships which also served a selection ground to pick the team for the Thomas and Uber Cups Finals.
The Thomas and Uber Cup finals are scheduled to be held in the city of Aarhus, in Denmark from October 3-11.
For Vitidsarn it was his second big scalp in the national meet after he dumped No 2 seed and defending champion Sitthikom Thamasin in the semi-finals.
There was also an upset in the women’s singles final when fourth seed Phittayaporn Chaiwan outplayed second seed Pornpawee Chochuwong in straight game 21-16, 21-16 to stake a strong claim for a place in the Uber Cup team.
The men’s doubles up and coming Supak Jomkoh teamed up with Kittinupong Kedren to clinch the title with a 21-17, 21-13 win over Nattapat Trynkajee-Danupat Viriyangkoon.
Jomkoh was a double winner when he also won the mixed doubles with Supissara Paewsampran. The pair defeated Ratchapol Makkasasithorn-Kanchanok Sudjaipraparat 21-13, 21-4 in the final.
For Aimsaard sisters Nantakorn and Benyapa it was sheer joy when they came out 12-21, 21-17, 21-17 winners over Nitchaon Jindapol-Rawinda Prajongjai.
Badminton Association of Thailand president Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul who was voted in for a fourth term last week described the national meet as a huge success.
“We have new champions in every category. This augurs well for badminton in Thailand. There is no shortage of talent in the country,” said Khunying Patama.
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