PETALING JAYA: Hosts Thailand sent a warning to their rivals by naming a strong badminton team for the SEA Games from Dec 9-20.
2023 world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn (pic) is among the biggest names in the team and will be the hot favourite for the men’s singles gold.
Kunlavut, who is currently ranked No. 3 in the world, is known for turning up on the biggest stage.
The 24-year-old captured gold in the Asian Championships in April and won silver in the Paris Olympics last year.
Kunlavut also finished runner’s up to China’s Shi Yuqi in the world meet in Paris in August.
This year, he has added the Singapore Open, Thailand Open and Indonesian Masters titles to his growing list of achievements and will be tough to beat on his best day.
Kunlavut will be joined by world No. 3 mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran in the SEA Games.
Dechapol claimed the world title in 2021 with Sapsiree Taerattanachai before ending his partnership with the latter and combining with Supissara last year.
The new pair hit it off instantly and have so far won six titles together including the China Masters last month.
Thailand also boast four women’s singles players in the world’s top 20 – Pornpawee Chochuwong (No. 6), Ratchanok Intanon (No. 9), Supanida Katethong (No. 12) and Busanan Ongbamrungphan (No. 19).
In the men’s and women’s doubles though, Thailand don’t have the same fear factor as they currently have no pairs in the world’s top 10.
In the men’s doubles, the versatile Dechapol is ranked No. 13 in the world with Kittinupong Kedren and the duo could be a tricky proposition.
Thailand’s next best pair are world No. 44 Peeratchai Sukphun-Pakkapon Teeraratsakul.
The Thai coaches could also elect to mix it up and field scratch pairings.
In the women’s doubles, Thailand have been hit hard by an injury to Nuntakarn Aimsaard, who forms her country’s best combination currently with her sister Benyapa Aimsaard at No. 16.
Thailand will be relying on world No. 32 Ornnicha Jongsathopornparn-Sukitta Suwachai in Nuntakarn’s absence while Benyapa could also be used in a scratch pairing.
