Solid women’s pairs give Thailand more options

Southeast Asian Games - Badminton - Morodok Techo Badminton Hall, Phnom Penh, Cambodia - May 11, 2023 Thailand's Jongkolphan Kititharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai react during their team final match against Indonesia's Meilysa Trias Puspitasari and Rachel Allessya Rose REUTERS/Cindy Liu

DON’T rule us out!

Jongkolphan Kititharakul believes that Thailand’s women’s doubles pairs can be counted on to contribute points for the team in the Sudirman Cup.

Thailand have named a strong squad for the prestigious team meet which will be held from May 14-21 in Suzhou.

They are counting on Ratchanok Intanon (No. 7, women’s singles), Kunlavut Vitidsarn (No.7, men’s singles), Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Sapsiree Taerattanachai (No. 3, mixed doubles) to deliver but Jongkolphan is aiming to make her presence felt too with partner Rawinda Prajongjai.

Jongkolphan-Rawinda are currently the top ranked women’s doubles pair for Thailand at No. 9 and have been included in the team meet along with Benyapa Aimsaard-Nuntakarn Aimsaard (No. 12) and Supissara Paewsampran-Putttita Supajirakul (No. 21).

“Our women’s doubles have been getting stronger over the past two years,” said Jongkolphan.

“Before this, we never had two or more pairs capable of challenging the top pairs in the world. Now we do, and this could be key to our team’s chances in the Sudirman Cup.

“Our coaches can choose to field any of us as we each have our own strengths. Depending on who our opponents are, we can even form scratch partnerships.”

Thailand have been drawn alongside Indonesia, Germany and Canada in Group B.

Only the top two will advance to the quarter-finals.

Yesterday, Jongkolphan-Rawinda combined well to help their team win gold in the women’s team event after beating an under-strength Indonesia 3-0 in the final at the SEA Games in Cambodia.

The duo easily swept aside world No. 14 Febriana Dwipuji-Amalia Cahaya 21-11, 21-15 to double their team’s lead after Phittayaporn Chaiwan had drawn first blood in the first singles at the Morodok Techo badminton hall in Phnom Penh.

Phittayaporn overcame Komang Ayu 21-19, 21-17 while the third and decisive point was delivered by Supanida Katethong when she defeated Ester Nurumi 21-11, 21-12.

It was Thailland’s fifth consecutive gold in the women’s team event.

“I’m so happy to give my team the winning point again, just like I did against Indonesia at the last Games (in Vietnam),” said Supanida.

“My target now is to win gold in the individual event (starting today).”