11-11-2024 (IKSAN) World number five Kunlavut Vitidsarn has secured his first title of 2024, defeating China’s Wang Zheng Xing in straight games to claim the Korea Masters badminton championship.
The Thai star, fresh from his Olympic silver medal success, demonstrated his class in a compelling 21-18, 21-18 victory at the BWF World Tour Super 300 event, which carried a prize purse of US$210,000.
Despite facing early pressure in both games from the unseeded Wang, currently ranked 55th in the world, Vitidsarn showed remarkable resilience and tactical acumen. The opening game saw Wang surge to a 9-4 lead before Vitidsarn mounted an impressive comeback, reeling off five consecutive points to level the score at 9-9. The top seed’s superior court craft eventually proved decisive as he closed out the first game.
The second game followed a similar pattern, with Wang initially leading 6-4 before Vitidsarn’s measured approach and calculated aggression turned the tide. The Thai champion’s consistency in crucial moments secured him the victory and the winner’s cheque of US$15,700.
This victory marks a significant milestone for Thai badminton, as Vitidsarn becomes the first player from his nation to capture the Korea Masters title in 17 years. It also represents his first tournament triumph since claiming the World Championships in 2023, adding to his growing collection of BWF World Tour titles.
The result further cements Vitidsarn’s status as one of badminton’s elite players and provides crucial momentum as he continues his campaign on the international circuit. Wang, despite the defeat, showed impressive form throughout the tournament and collected US$7,980 as runner-up.
