One player - Ratchanok Intanon – can bring back honour and glory to her country Thailand - after the nation went through days of battered image and embarrassment recently.
Last week, Thailand’s badminton went through an all-time low when two of their men doubles players – Bodin Isaara and Maneepong Jongjit – were involved in a horrific brawl at the Canadian Open.
Both have been banned for their unruly behaviours and Maneepong and his current partner Nipitphon Puangpuapech were withdrawn from the World Championships.
In fact, Thailand will not have any representatives in the men’s doubles when Songphon Anugritayawon-Sudket Prapakamol also withdrew.
The 18-year-old Ratchanok, who reached the final of the All-England in March, can redeem the battered pride by making a significant presence in the world meet.
In the absence of Denmark’s Tine Rasmussen and Germany’s Juliane Schenk, the immensely talented Intanon is seen as the player to spoil the army of women’s singles shuttlers from China led by Olympic champion Li Xuerui.
Ratchanok, however, remained modest of her chances in Guangzhou.
“I am a young player, who is hoping to grow up in this tournament by gaining as much experience and exposure. I will take one match at a time,” said the soft-spoken lass.
Besides Ratchanok, Thailand also have the maximum four competitors in the women’s singles. They are Sapsiree Taerattanachai, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk and Busanan Ongbumrungpan, who are all seeded.
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