Badminton players slam their way to medal glory Published: 16/11/2010 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: News GUANGZHOU : Thailand's badminton players put aside a simmering row with their sport's leaders and worked towards the common goal of winning medals for the country at the Asian Games yesterday. The Thai women's badminton team took silver after losing to China 3-0 in the final of the team event yesterday, while their male compatriots took bronze a day earlier in the men's team event. While the two squads failed to win gold, their achievements are a huge success for Thai badminton. The women's team reached the final for the first time in 44 years, while the men knocked out Malaysia, featuring world number one Lee Chong Wei, in the quarter-finals. The shuttlers achieved the feat after burying the hatchetwith Thailand's badminton bosses over sponsorship and financial issues. Several national team players, led by siblings Boonsak and Salakjit Ponsana, were in conflict with Charoen Wattanasin, president of the Badmintion Association of Thailand, earlier this year which had cast a pall over Thailand's preparations. Coach Somphol Kukasemkit gave credit to Khunying Patthama Leesawattrakul, who was appointed team manager just before the Asiad, for helping to mend fences between the players and the association. "She has played a vital role in our success," said Somphol source: Bangkok Post
Thailand grab two more silver medals Shooters and shuttlers finish second Published: 16/11/2010 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: Sports GUANGZHOU : Thailand took two silver medals in the women's badminton team event and the women's 50m rifle prone team competition yesterday. The Thai women’s badminton team finish second after losing 3-0 to China in the final. PHOTOS BY THITI WANNAMONTHA The badminton team finished second after losing 3-0 to China in the final, while the women's shooters defied all the odds to grab silver. It was the female badminton team's first final since 1966. Having known that the top-seeded Chinese were too strong, Thailand used a second-string side in the badminton final. However, 15-year-old Ratchanok Intanond made an impressive start for the Thais against world number one Xin Wang. In her first match in Guangzhou, Ratchanok, the two-time defending world youth champion, won the first set before going down to Wang 22-20, 17-21, 14-21. "I am happy that I played a good game against the world number one," said Ratchanok, who was mobbed by a number of foreign journalists. "I was too tired in the second and third sets." Nichaon Jindapol lost to Shixian Wang 13-21, 12-21 while Sapsiri Taerattanachai was defeated 15-21, 10-21 by Yanjiao Jiang. Thailand's number one Salakjit Ponsana said that it was the right decision to give the young players a chance to play to gain experience. "The senior players need a rest before playing in the individual events," she said. Teenager Ratchanok Intanond makes an impressive Asiad debut. With the silver, the 10 players in the women's team will each get 500,000 baht in bonus from the government plus an additional 500,000 baht from team manager Khunying Patthama Leesawattrakul. The men's team took bronze after beating Malaysia in the quarter-finals and losing to South Korea in the semi-finals. Thailand coach Udom Luangphetcharaporn who described the Chinese women as the "best in the world", was delighted to win silver after beating Indonesia to make the final. "We planned for bronze so getting silver is the best," he said. source: Bangkok Post
I wonder if some Thais in this forum can be kind enough to tell us who were the people behind the revival of Thai badminton. Thailand already has a deep tradition but disappeared like Msia in the 80s and even more in the 90s. Names like Wattanassin and Sompol were people from the golden era.
Oh My, I typed a long comment while watching the AG when I pressed reply my comment disappear so I guess that I took to long to write. I'm Thai but I'm not a real badminton supporter honestly, my knowledge of the sport is very limited so please forgive me if my two cents aren't that interesting. "who were the people behind the revival of Thai badminton." IMHO, First of all the credit would go to Charoen Wattanasin who is the president of BAT, he was one of the best player from our country so he knows what he has to do or should do to help our players from good players to be the best players BUT I think he should step down from the position soon after the last conflict with some senior players and coaches. Secondly, the full support from player families, in the past many good player had to choose to study to be graduated in order to have a good job later than to be a professional athlete for example, Ladawa Moonlasatsatorn (I think I misspelling her name as you know Thai to English can be vary) the talented young player at that time and once defeat another young talented player from Indonesia Susi Susanti in Indonesia but after that tournament Laddawan chose to study in one of the top university here instead of juggling both training and studying. Even she still represented her university in national tournament but how hard of the training was obviously different from to be in a national team. Nowadays, parents know that to be a professional athlete can earn enough money and we have some success professional athlete like Paradon Srichaphan and Tamarine Tanasugarn, I know they are tennis player but they obviously earn more money than Boonsak. I think Boonsak won some big tournament that give some parent the idea that their children could get by from only playing sport. Moreover, a good solid sponsor from SCG (The Siam Cement Group) that give an opportunity to the BAT to provide tournaments to find a talented player then they can be train to be a star player. We also have some good badminton clubs and school in Bangkok for instance, Banthongyod Badminton School and SCG Badminton Academy where its provide good coaches and facility to young players. When we have lots of player so we can find some outstanding talented player more easy. I do believe in rise and fall so now it's not a golden era of Indonesia or Malaysia but I believe they gonna bounce back soon and we gonna be in that fall too but I wish we could reach the golden era soon and stay there for awhile. Finally after Ratchnok won the last 2 WJC, I really hope that more youngsters gonna interesting more in badminton so we will have player to carry the golden period.
Must be true, Lin Dan and Lee CW should be very rich people by now,richer than professionals working all their life. Ladawan,yes, the pretty face from the 70s. Looks like BWF is delivering.
Thailand is one Badminton team we need to respect . I am surprised that some BCers think that Thailand is not a strong Badminton playing nation. Yes, over the past 2 decades or so, Thailand has fallen behind a bit. Now, we hope that Thailand can come forward again to show us that Thailand is one team we need to respect. .
I wonder what happened to Thailand after 1976 after it hosted the Thomas cup Final, Thailand just disappeared from International badminton. I think Thai Badminton has a brand and style of its own, a bit similar to Malaysia or Indonesia. Mixed with Chinese style having supported China in the WBF before both joined the IBF in 1982. Emphasis on physical strength , fitness and wristwork. A very fluid and relaxed style of footwork, as Gil Clark commented, gliding along.
We do not see THA as a threat... We love badminton too much, we don't see another countrie's positive development as a threat... INA always welcome more countries to be better at badminton... Our National Circuits tournaments and Independent Tournaments (like Astec Open, Pertamina Open etc.) are open to all non-INA citizens... Any Thai, Filipino, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Papuans, Indians, Malaysians, Chinese, Danish, French, blablabla players that want to get playing experience are welcome to come to INA and play... The prize moneys in these tournaments are usually more than International Challenge's $15,000 minimum...
She is Ladawan Mulasartsatorn (reference the name on Barcelona Olympic) Her early story almost similar with Ratchanok Inthanon. She was the person on behind story of Susy Susanti's appearance. Ladawan won Bimantara Cup 1983 (I think this event for U-15 in that time) in GS easily. The interesting story is in GD. Actually she would paired with Susy or Susi, but the original Susy/Susi was ill. The Organizer tried to find other player to replace her and find Susy Susanti from Tasikmalaya. Ladawan/Susy won in WD then. Another bolded result is in SEA Games 1985 when she was 15 y.o, She defeated Ivana Lie in Women's Team although her team lost. In Individual she was defeated by Elyzabeth Latief. Compared with INA, in 1983-1984 THA have big lead on WS Junior. This condition is similar with current time.
Thailand do have gifted badminton players. I have a partner in Uni from Thailand and we won Canberra Open. Am partnering him again after 20 years of hiatus in Pattaya for the OCBC games on 19th Nov at the indoor stadium. The problem is the Association I guess, No proper leadership and support from the Govt. Given a proper balance in resources and support, it should flourish. I also don't see innovations in Thai people trying to create their own equipments. Maybe, the big boys just shot them down. Perhaps, the BAT can also make some agreement to be more transparent and talk to successful players to recontribute back the winnings and sponsors back to the juniors. There are many big organisations in Thailand who is willing to support, its all about planning and making the effort to know where the money is. Like now, since RI and Pisit is doing good, the BAT should take advantage to go and ask for more (or a pool) money from sponsors to create a reasonable target to be world champion? Its the plan and execution again. The pool of talent and hunger is always there. Thailand has a population which is bigger than Malaysia and Singapore. If you select 1 percent from the country best, there will be some gems like RI or Pisit. It's sustainability. If RI or Pisit does not flourish in 5 years time, then I have nothing to say. BAT can close shop.
but when u read comment from some malaysia fans they will say cant even win thailand lah go back be farmer lah u can see different attitude like urs,frustrated
In the past, badminton did not offer good financial reward. Many young talents from other countries besides Indonesia chose to study rather than training. That's why in the past, the depth of strength in other countries team are not that strong. There are only 1 or 2 players who are very good. Nowadays, it is not surprising to find Thailand having 3 very good junior players and most likely they will continue. In the future the threat is not just from Thailand. India, Taiwan, Japan and even European countries like German if badminton getting even higher sponsor money. I think it is good for Indonesia too as there will be more players coming to Indonesia for short term training and playing in the tournament. The spectators in Indonesia also like to see more players.
I think i see a small difference between Thailand or China and say,Malaysia. Thai and Chinese youngsters who excel at junior level join the seniors in double quick time. In Malaysia, juniors dominate the junior circuit, they are then recruited into the senior ranks to hibernate, by the time they are released, they are found wanting at senior level, not physically strong,inadequate skills ,no natural talent in the mould of Lee CW or Koo KK , a little too late. Probably being obsessed with delivering results and earning prize money rather than investing in the future.
Friday November 19, 2010 The Star Boonsak out to extend Thailand’s good showing BOONSAK Ponsana (pic) is out to extend his run for Thailand in his last appearance in the Asian Games when he takes on world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei in the quarter-finals today. But even if the Thai ace fails to come good, the 28-year-old will be satisfied. He knows that Thailand have a group of youngsters ready to take over the mantle from him. Thailand broke new grounds in the Guangzhou Asian Games, especially through their younger players. In the team competition, the Thais chalked up their first win over Malaysia in 30 years with a 3-2 win in the quarter-finals. Boonsak sparked off the victory when he pulled the rug from under world number one Chong Wei in the first singles. And his younger compatriot, S. Avihingsanon, completed the job by clinching the winning point with a straight-game win over Liew Daren in the third singles. Another youngster, Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk, also did well as the second ranked Thai singles player. The Thai women, especially world junior champion Ratchanok Intanon and Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, have gained new respect from everybody, even from the formidable Chinese camp. Said Boonsak: “I am happy to see my juniors doing well in my last Asian Games outing. “It will still take some time for them to reach the top but this is a good start for them in Guangzhou.” On his chances against Chong Wei today, he said: “If I play my game, just like I did the other day (in the team event), I should be able to win again.” Boonsak has beaten Chong Wei only three times in 13 meetings.
