Sitthikom Thammasin
SITTHIKOM Thammasin is not one to throw in the towel without putting up a fight.
Despite struggling with a calf injury for the past year, the Thai men’s singles shuttler is not giving up on his dream of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
World No. 34 Sitthikom faces a tough battle to make the cut as he needs to break into the top 16 before the Olympics qualifying period ends at the end of next April.
The 28-year-old knows he needs to do better to realise his dream after suffering first round exits in all his individual tournaments so far this year.
“I have been struggling with a right calf injury for the past year and this has affected my performances,” said Sitthikom.
“My injury is now getting better and I hope to improve in tournaments after this as Olympics qualifying period has started this month.
“I’ve never played in the Olympics and my dream is to qualify.”
For now, Sitthikom has set his sights on helping his team defend the gold in the men’s team event in the SEA Games in Cambodia.
Yesterday, he and his teammates strolled past the hosts 3-0 to book their spot in the semi-finals.
Sitthikom swept aside Cambodia’s Vannthoun Vath 21-9, 21-10 to give his team a great start.
Men’s doubles pair Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul and Panitchapon Teeraratsakul, who played in the second singles delivered the other two points for Thailand.
In the last four, Thailand could face Malaysia if the latter manage to overcome Vietnam in another last eight tie today.
On the possible match up against Malaysia, Sitthikom said: “We beat Malaysia 3-0 in the final last year.
“This time, I’m not too worried but I think it will be 50-50 if we play against them again.
Sitthikom will not be playing in the individual event which starts on Friday and will instead turn his attention to the Sudirman Cup from May 14-21 in Suzhou.
The prestigious team meet will be the first tournament offering ranking points for Olympics qualification.
