Thailand’s hopes for a first-ever Olympic badminton medal now rest on Kunlavut Vitidsarn, one victory away from making history. The reigning world champion performed stunningly in the Paris 2024 quarter-finals, defeating top-ranked Shi Yuqi of China 21-12, 21-10. The win makes him the first Thai men’s singles player to reach the Olympic semi-finals in 20 years, following Boonsak Ponsana’s achievement in Athens 2004.
Ratchanok Intanon’s campaign ended in disappointment as she exited the women’s singles quarter-finals, losing to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung of Indonesia 23-25, 9-21. Tunjung will now face world No. 1 An Se-Young of South Korea in the semi-finals.
Kunlavut, competing in his first Olympics, will face Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia in the semi-finals. The 23-year-old Thai star demonstrated excellent defense and control against Shi, wrapping up the match in just 44 minutes. Shi’s defeat means China will not have a men’s singles medalist for the first time in two decades. Lee advanced to his first Olympic semi-final by overcoming Anders Antonsen of Denmark, 21-17, 21-15. (NNT)
