Thailands new world champion

Ratchanok is the women's world badminton champion

• Published: 11 Aug 2013 at 15.05
• Online news: Local News

Thai teenager Ratchanok Intanon took the world women's title in Guangzhou Sunday in a massive upset, beating Chinese Olympic champion Li Xuerui 22-20, 18-21, 21-14.
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2013/08/2204.jpg Ratchanok Intanon, right, raises her trophy on the podium after defeating China's Li Xuerui during their women's singles final match at the 2013 Badminton World Championships in Guangzhou on Sunday. (Reuters photo)


Ratchanok, 18, becomes the first ever Thai player to win gold at the world championships after defeating 22-year-old top seed Li, who was gunning for her first world title.

• Born to be great: Naughty badminton queen

The three-game thriller was a battle of brilliant technical skills and stamina, with Ratchanok pushing a more experienced Li around the court with a huge repertoire of shots.
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China's Li Xuerui, rear, hits a return to Ratchanok Intanon during their women's singles final match at the 2013 Badminton World Championships in Guangzhou on Sunday. (Reuters photo)

Ratchanok came back from 19-12 down in the first game to clinch it by two points, with a grim-faced Li fighting back to take the second.
But the supremely relaxed Thai looked physically and mentally stronger in the final game, holding on to a lead even though Li threw everything at her.
At the end of the match Ratchanok dropped to her knees in tears on court before bowing to an applauding stadium.
``I am going to bring my victory to Her Majesty the Queen and to my mother and godmother as a gift,'' Ratchanok said.
``Before this match I didn't have confidence when I was competing against the top players, but after today I will.
``Li was not playing like herself. I felt really relaxed and I think she was nervous. I have played her five times and she has won four, so it was amazing that I beat her today.''
Speaking after the match a deflated Li said she had found it hard to concentrate.
``It wasn't being the top seed that affected my mindset - I think I was just too eager to win.
``We prepared thoroughly for the match, but it was hard to implement the plan. When I tried to execute my strategies, I would make errors.
``My opponent played very well and seemed very relaxed, which put a lot of pressure on me.''
The Yasothon girl had already set the world championships alight by becoming the first Thai player to make it through to the final.
The triple world junior champion reached the final after beating India's PV Sindhu 21-10, 21-13 on Saturday.
The fourth seed has held the Thai public and badminton fans in thrall since she burst onto the world scene at the tender age of 14, with one of her greatest achievements being a silver medal winner at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
The full women's draw with all results leading to Ratchanok's victory is available at the Badminton World Federation website.
https://teakdoor.com/images/imported/2013/08/2206.jpg Ratchanok Intanon cries after defeating Li Xuerui at the 2013 Badminton World Championships in Guangzhou on Sunday. (Reuters photo)

Ratchanok is the women's world badminton champion | Bangkok Post: news


See the game in HD here :
Finals - WS - Ratchanok Intanon vs Li Xuerui - 2013 BWF World Championships - YouTube

My congratulations to her. Great game played very cooly. You have to be super fit to play badminton singles and shes pretty fit all round.

Congratulations Ratchanok Inthanon, Thailand's new world champion in women's singles badminton.

From the comments of the 'expert' commentators before and at the beginning of the match, it seemed like it was going to be a comprehensive victory for the number 1 seeded Chinese Olympic champion against the 18-year-old number 4 seeded Thai.

Ratchanok looked doomed at 19-12 down in the first set but came back to win it 22-20. Her opponent took the second set and it looked like the match was to go according to seedings. The Chinese lady was all concentration and application and it seemed that the Thai was more concerned with showing her smile when things went wrong and her wai when she accepted a new shuttle - when will these Thais become battle-hardened and able to compete at the highest level?

However, Ratchanok retained her smile and her politeness and, to my and the commentator's surprise, romped away with the third and deciding set!

I was far from convinced that she was going to do it and was expecting the Chinese to eventually overhaul the Thai - but it just didn't happen. Ratchanok retained her composure under pressure and was a model of skill, execution, and sportspersonship throughout the game and the presentation proceedings.

It was a pleasure to watch a game of such importance played at such a high level without the behaviour of the participants that has come to be expected in other much more widely covered 'sports.'

Congratulations, badminton and Ratchanok

bobforest

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The youngest ever World Badminton Champion
She was also the youngest ever junior champion, winning her first world title at age 14
Breaks China's hold on this title (since 2001) and only third non-Chinese winner since 1983 (Indonesia 1993, Denmark 1999)

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