THAILAND’S Ratchanok Intanon sunk on her knees and broke into tears.
It was tears of sheer joy as the 18-year-old had made history. She showed maturity way beyond her age as she tore apart Olympic champion Li Xuerui of China 22-20, 18-21, 21-14 in an enthralling 65-minute women’s singles final to become the youngest champion – men or women – in the World Championships.
And Ratchanok also created a number of records with her feat. The three-time world junior champion is the first shuttler from Thailand to win the world title and the first player in 14 years to break China’s domination in the women’s singles.
Ratchanok Intanon was already a three-time world junior champion and is the first person in 14 years to end China's domination in women's singles. - IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star
The last non-Chinese player to win the title was Dane Camilla Martin in Copenhagen in 1999.
The humble and modest Ratchanok was over the moon with her achievement.
“After scoring the winning point, I could not control my emotion. Memories of all the hard training all these years came flooding back to my mind but I knew it was all worth it ... I am now the world champion,” said Ratchanok.
When she got up, the Chinese crowd gave her a thunderous applause. They knew she deserved it after being one step ahead of Xuerui in every department of the game yesterday.
Ratchanok, who came from a poverty stricken family, said her victory had come at the right time as Thailand is celebrating the Queen’s birthday and Mother’s Day today.
“I dedicate this win to my mother and the Queen. In fact, I am excited as the Queen has invited me to see her tomorrow (today). This achievement is great news for my country, especially after the controversy involving our men’s doubles players recently (two Thai players were banned after being involved in an ugly brawl at the Canadian Open on July 21).
Ratchanok has coach Xie Zhuhua of China to thank for her rise to stardom. Zhuhua was the sparring partner for Li Yongbo, now China’s chief coach, but decided to leave China for Thailand 21 years ago. In Thailand, he gathered a few children from a poor neighbourhood and gave them training. One of the kids was Ratchanok who went on to become the youngest world junior champion at the age of 14 in 2009.
Creating records is second nature to Ratchanok and she hopes to continue doing it.
She has now set her sights on winning the Olympic gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
“This win has given me a lot of confidence. Before this I was doubtful whether I could beat the Chinese players. But now I know I can and I will continue to improve,” said Ratchanok.
The last non-Chinese player to win the title was Dane Camilla Martin in Copenhagen in 1999.
The humble and modest Ratchanok was over the moon with her achievement.
“After scoring the winning point, I could not control my emotion. Memories of all the hard training all these years came flooding back to my mind but I knew it was all worth it ... I am now the world champion,” said Ratchanok.
When she got up, the Chinese crowd gave her a thunderous applause. They knew she deserved it after being one step ahead of Xuerui in every department of the game yesterday.
Ratchanok, who came from a poverty stricken family, said her victory had come at the right time as Thailand is celebrating the Queen’s birthday and Mother’s Day today.
“I dedicate this win to my mother and the Queen. In fact, I am excited as the Queen has invited me to see her tomorrow (today). This achievement is great news for my country, especially after the controversy involving our men’s doubles players recently (two Thai players were banned after being involved in an ugly brawl at the Canadian Open on July 21).
Ratchanok has coach Xie Zhuhua of China to thank for her rise to stardom. Zhuhua was the sparring partner for Li Yongbo, now China’s chief coach, but decided to leave China for Thailand 21 years ago. In Thailand, he gathered a few children from a poor neighbourhood and gave them training. One of the kids was Ratchanok who went on to become the youngest world junior champion at the age of 14 in 2009.
Creating records is second nature to Ratchanok and she hopes to continue doing it.
She has now set her sights on winning the Olympic gold in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
“This win has given me a lot of confidence. Before this I was doubtful whether I could beat the Chinese players. But now I know I can and I will continue to improve,” said Ratchanok.
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