The end of an era. Chan had his retirement party last night at the Glencoe Club. Chanarong, a top player in the world in the late 50s early 60s retired from the badminton world last night. Chan's impact on Canadian badminton will always be remembered. Last night concluded his 40 years of service as head pro at the Glencoe Club. Chan coached two of the best Canadian players ever. Jamie Paulson and Denise Richards. Jamie Paulson won the Commonwealth games, Denise has been to 4 Olympics and won 30 national titles. Denise trained under Chan for 23 years before becoming a coach in her own right. It was said many times the passion Chan has brought to the game has been the same since his very first day at the Glencoe Club. Even at 67. Last nights presentation was probably the most well done event I've ever been to. The speeches were funny, and touching. Chan's retirement is well deserved.
Chanarong was a double player as I can remember. His partner was Chanakiat (?) and in 70's not 50's or 60's.
He played doubles later in his career. He moved to coach at the Glencoe 1967. He has won a ton of masters tournaments on the Canadian circuit.
I believe Chanarong was Thailand's third singles player, after Charoen Wattanasin and Thanoo Khadjadbhai, in the late 1950s and early 1960s. All three were under the patronage of the Thai King, who recruited the legendary Wong Peng Soon to coach in Thailand. To this day the Thai Royal family is still very interested in badminton. I believe one of the Thai princesses is playing for Thailand. Chanarong did play in the All England singles final but lost to Earland Kops.
Channarong's partner in the 1972-73 Thomas Cup inter-zone between India and Canada was another Thai, Raphi Kanchanauraphi. Representing Canada they beat the Indians in the crucial doubles to win the cliff-hanger inter-zone first round.