PUBLISHED : 29 Aug 2023 at 05:00
NEWSPAPER SECTION: News
Kunlavut Vitidsarn became the first Thai badminton player to win the men’s singles title at the World Championships after rallying to beat Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 19-21, 21-18, 21-7 in Copenhagen on Sunday.
The 22-year-old, who was runner-up last year, secured the third world crown for his country after Ratchanok Intanon in the women’s singles in 2013 and Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai in the mixed doubles in 2021.
World No.3 Kunlavut spilt blood, sweat and finally tears as he defeated fourth-ranked Naraoka, also 22, in the final that lasted 109 minutes — one of the longest men’s singles matches ever.
“I’m very happy, this has been a dream for me since I was a child,” said Kunlavut.