Latest news with #KunlavutVitidsarn
France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
Shi beats Lanier to win Japan Open badminton title
South Korea's An Se-young downed China's Wang Zhiyi 21-12, 21-10 in the women's final to capture an incredible sixth title in seven tournaments so far this year. Shi was replaced at the top of the men's world rankings by Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn in June, but he was too good for rising star Lanier in Tokyo. The Chinese player came out on top after a close first game and wore his 20-year-old opponent down to close out the match in 50 minutes. "I wanted to take it at my own pace, and even if I was losing I knew it was important to dig in," said current world number three Shi, who won his third title of the year. "My opponent is young and he has a lot of physical strength, so I knew I had to stick to my own style." Lanier won his first major senior title in Tokyo last year and he followed it up with victory at the European Championships in April. He will attempt to win the world title in front of his home fans in Paris next month, but he admitted he felt pressure in Tokyo as the defending champion. "I don't think that it is affecting me mentally, but physically you play with a bit more pressure," he said. "The movements are a bit less relaxed and there are some distractions in the timing, in the footwork." World women's number one An extended her remarkable run of form with a dominating win over second-seeded Wang. An's only defeat this year came in the quarter-finals of the Singapore Open last month. "I always have areas that need to be improved on so I work on those in training," said the 23-year-old An, who won gold at last year's Paris Olympics. "I challenge myself and that's what leads to these results -- I put in extra effort on the things that need improving." China's Jiang Zhenbang and Wei Yaxin took the mixed doubles title, beating Thailand's Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Suprissara Paewsampran 21-19, 16-21, 21-15 in the final. China also came out on top in women's doubles, with the top-seeded pair of Liu Shengshu and Tan Ning beating Malaysia's Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan 21-15, 21-14.
The Star
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Kunlavut has chance to join elite group by lifting world title again
Man with a mission: Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn celebrates after winning his semi-final match at the last year's Olympic Games. — AFP PETALING JAYA: Can men's singles shuttler Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand defend his world title? Based on his current form, it is possible. Kunlavut created history in the last edition of the world meet in 2023 in Copenhagen when he sensationally became the first Thai to capture the men's singles gold after beating Japan's Kodai Naraoka. The 24-year-old has an opportunity to win it again at the meet from Aug 25-31 at the Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle in Paris. And if he pulls it off, Kunlavut will join an illustrious list of players who have defended the men's singles title, such as China's Yang Yang (1987, 1989), Lin Dan (2006, 2007, 2009 and 2011, 2013), Chen Long (2014, 2015) and Japan's Kento Momota (2018, 2019). Kunlavut believes that he is slowly evolving his game after struggling with consistency previously. 'This is an amazing season for me. I feel like trying everything. I must change my style and if it doesn't work, it's OK. If it works, just do it again,' said Kunlavut in an interview with the Badminton World Federation (BWF). 'Now every player knows my style and I must change it a bit. This year it's worked in every match. I just need to keep getting better.' Kunlavut is already a trailblazer in his country after scoring several other firsts – becoming the first Thai to reach world No. 1 spot last month and first to win an Olympic medal in badminton when he claimed silver in the Paris Games last August. He will be keen to enjoy another good outing in the world meet which will be held in the same venue as the Olympics. He has been in superb form since April, winning the Asian Championships, Thailand Open and Singapore Open titles and reaching the semi-finals in the Indonesian Open and this bodes well for him ahead of the showpiece event in Paris.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Legend Rashid raving about Thai singles star Kunlavut
Humble: Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand acknowledges spectators after his victory against Lu Guangzu of China in the men's singles final at the Singapore Open. — AFP PETALING JAYA: If there is one men's singles player who has won the heart of Malaysian legend Datuk Rashid Sidek – it has to be Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. And it's not only because the 24-year-old Thai recently became their country's first men's singles player to reign as the world No. 1 player, but also for his crafty play and humility. Rashid foresees Vitidsarn staying at the top for a long time. 'Kunlavut is one of the talented players in the circuit right now. His tactical game is sound. He is sharp and tricky too,' said Rashid. 'He has this special deceptive shot that frustrates his opponents. 'His attacking shots are good and I think we have not seen the best of him yet. 'Above it all, I'm taken by his sheer humility. He has the character of a true champion. 'We have six more months before the season ends, and I can't wait to see what other things he can accomplish.' Two weeks ago after winning the Singapore Open, which eventually saw him taking up the top spot in the world, Kunlavut had stated: 'I must keep learning. I'm world No. 1 but my performance is not No. 1 yet.' This year, the 2024 Paris Olympic Games silver medallist Kunlavut has also won the Thailand Open, Asian Badminton Championships and Indonesian Masters. With his fine form, he has put himself as one of the favourites to win the World Championships in Paris in August. The other nine players behind him in the ranking are Anders Antonsen (Den), Shi Yuqi (Chn), Jonatan Christie (Ina), Li Shifeng (Chn), Chou Tien-chen (Tpe), Kodai Naraoka (Jpn), Alex Lanier (Fra), Viktor Axelsen (Den) and Loh Kean Yew (Sin). The top two highest ranked Malaysian players are world No. 21 Lee Zii Jia and Leong Jun Hao (27).
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Chou Tien-chen to meet Anders Antonsen in Indonesia Open badminton final, as top two seeds exit
Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen celebrates after winning his semi-final match against Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Chou Tien-chen to meet Anders Antonsen in Indonesia Open badminton final, as top two seeds exit JAKARTA - Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan beat world number one Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16 23-21 in the Indonesia Open in Jakarta on June 7 to set up a final against Anders Antonsen, who defeated defending champion Shi Yuqi. Second seed Vitidsarn shot out of the blocks in both games and racked up 5-1 leads but the 35-year-old Chou showed great resilience, fighting back to secure a spot in his first final since last month's Taipei Open. China's Shi began his semi-final strongly, taking the first game 21-9, while third-seeded Antonsen was much more competitive in the second game and pounced on a string of errors from the top seed to wrest control of the match. Shi had the lead early in the tight third game but Antonsen rose to the challenge to win 9-21 21-18 21-19 - his first victory over the two-times Asian Games gold medallist since January 2024. In the women's draw, top seed An Se-young of South Korea faced third-seeded Akane Yamaguchi, the second time the pair had met in the semi-finals of a Super 1000 tournament this year. Much like their meeting at the All England Open in March, reigning Olympic champion An held off her Japanese opponent to win 21-18 21-17 and secure a spot in the Indonesia Open final for a third time in her career. An will come up against Wang Zhiyi in the June 8 final after the Chinese world number two beat compatriot Han Yue 21-12 21-13 in 39 minutes. REUTERS South Korea's An Se Young celebrates winning her semi-final match against Akane Yamaguchi of Japan. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Free Malaysia Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
Chou to meet Antonsen in Indonesia Open final as top 2 seeds exit
Taiwan's Chou Tien-chen fought back in both games to secure a spot in the Indonesia Open final. (AP pic) JAKARTA : Chou Tien-chen of Taiwan beat world No 1 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 21-16, 23-21 in the Indonesia Open in Jakarta today to set up a final against Anders Antonsen, who defeated defending champion Shi Yuqi. Second seed Vitidsarn shot out of the blocks in both games and racked up 5-1 leads but the 35-year-old Chou showed great resilience, fighting back to secure a spot in his first final since last month's Taipei Open. China's Shi began his semi-final strongly, taking the first game 21-9, while third-seeded Antonsen was much more competitive in the second game and pounced on a string of errors from the top seed to wrest control of the match. Shi had the lead early in the tight third game but Antonsen rose to the challenge to win 9-21, 21-18, 21-19 – his first victory over the two-time Asian Games gold medallist since January 2024. In the women's draw, top seed An Se-young of South Korea faced third-seeded Akane Yamaguchi, the second time the pair had met in the semi-finals of a Super 1000 tournament this year. ADVERTISEMENT VIDCRUNCH Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Quality Auto Back 360p 240p 144p Auto Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x / Skip Ads by Much like their meeting at the All England Open in March, reigning Olympic champion An held off her Japanese opponent to win 21-18, 21-17 and secure a spot in the Indonesia Open final for a third time in her career. An will come up against Wang Zhiyi in tomorrow's final after the Chinese world No 2 beat compatriot Han Yue 21-12, 21-13 in 39 minutes.
