28-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Kunlavut “View” Vitidsarn created history for Thailand by becoming the country’s first-ever world champion in men’s singles badminton. The 22-year-old Thai player, ranked world No. 3, clinched the title at the BWF World Championship 2013 in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Sunday, defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka, ranked No. 4, in a thrilling match.
In a hard-fought battle, Kunlavut staged a remarkable comeback after losing the first game. He triumphed over Naraoka with a scoreline of 19-21, 21-18, and 21-7 in a match that lasted 81 minutes. The two players were evenly matched throughout the first two games, but Kunlavut displayed exceptional skill and dominance in the decisive final game, securing victory and etching his name in the record books as Thailand’s first men’s singles gold medalist.
Kunlavut’s remarkable achievement adds him to the prestigious list of Thai badminton players who have won gold at the World Championship. Ratchanok Intanon became the women’s singles world champion in 2013, while Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai claimed the mixed doubles world championship title in 2021.
As a reward for his historic win, Kunlavut will receive a 1.5 million baht prize from the National Sports Development Fund, in addition to the winner’s prize money.
Congratulatory messages poured in for Kunlavut, with Prime Minister-elect Srettha Thavisin taking to Twitter to express his admiration and appreciation for the talented athlete. He wrote, “I would like to congratulate View – Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Thailand’s first world badminton champion in men’s singles at the BWF World Championship. The Thai players can show a very high potential with arduous training, resilience, and strong determination, both physically and mentally. Congratulations to View, his family, and his team for contributing to this success.”
