Thailand is now being noticed as a strong Badminton playing nation

[Jonc108]

Well done Thai girls!

They would be the biggest WS rival to China, surpassing KOR, INA, IND, JPN now...

[chris-ccc]

Well done Thai girls!

They would be the biggest WS rival to China, surpassing KOR, INA, IND, JPN now...

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I still have this article when Thailand coach Udom Luangphetcharaporn said that he was delighted that his Thai girls went on to win silver after beating Indonesia to make the final.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...12_152/1/.html

World number one Wang Xin kicked into gear after a slow start to beat Ratchanok Intanon 20-22, 21-17, 21-14 before Wang Shixian, the world's fourth ranked player, thrashed Nitchaon Jindapol 21-13, 21-12.

Jiang Yanjiao wrapped up the drubbing by beating Sapsiree Taerattanachai 21-15, 21-10.

Wang Xin said nerves got the better of her at a partisan Tianhe Gymnasium as she surprisingly surrendered the first set to her young opponent.

"I always thought this would be a tough game," said Wang. "I was too nervous and it made me make a lot of faults.

"My opponent was very aggressive and I felt pressured throughout the match. I prepared beforehand but I didn't realise it would be so hard."

Wang was full of praise for the 15-year-old Ratchanok after the Thai made life tough for the world's top-rated shuttler.

"Her skill level is mature beyond her age," said Wang.

"She is not tall but she was very aggressive in her shots and she was very powerful. She could become a major opponent because she is still young."

China coach Li Yongbo said despite winning gold with ease, they could learn from blooding youngsters so early on, particularly the need to cope with the huge expectations of the Chinese public.

"We can see very clearly that badminton is improving in the world and more and more countries are making improvements so we are going to face more and more challenges, so we need to work hard." said Li.

"All 10 players were making their debuts in the Asian Games and they performed quite well.

"In the team event it's team work and team spirit that gets you through.

"A lot of expectations were placed on the team so that caused them some stress and affected their performance."

Thai coach Udom Luangphetcharaporn, describing 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.

South Korea and Indonesia shared bronze.
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[chris-ccc]

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For the coming 2011 World Championships (08-14 August), all 3 Thai WS players have qualified, namely;

* Porntip BURANAPRASERTSUK (ranked 16th)
* Salakjit PONSANA (ranked 19th)
* Ratchanok INTHANON (ranked 20th)

Source: http://bwfcontent.tournamentsoftware...1&category=473 (BWF Rankings 2011 Week No.17)
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[bura836]

So excited to see if this will be real?? Want to see it happen this year. Wow.

Well done Thai girls!

They would be the biggest WS rival to China, surpassing KOR, INA, IND, JPN now...

[chris-ccc]

So excited to see if this will be real?? Want to see it happen this year. Wow.

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Great isn't it? At this week's 2011 Malaysia Open GP Gold tournament, 5 WS girls have made it into the Main Draw of 32 players.

It's another strong showing from these girls;

* Porntip BURANAPRASERTSUK
* Salakjit PONSANA
* Ratchanok INTHANON
* Nichaon JINDAPON
* Sapsiree TAERATTANACHAI

Source: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sp...D058B5A&draw=4
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[broadstairs]

Now my eyes are on to 2 XD pairs, Maneepong Jongjit,Savitree Amitapai and Nipitphon Puangpech,Nessara Somsri.

Maneepong and Savitree were doing well in India SS and still in Round2 in Malaysia GP.
Nitiphon and Nessara got defeat by the IDA pair at Malaysia GP but at least they got one game so hopefully they gonna be better and better.

[jimbo]

Porntip just lost to Ai Goto (Jap) but I must say that Porntip is a very talented player... hopefully she will break the Chinese Wall...

[Ajaib]

i don't mean to discredit Ai Goto but i think that Porntip is just exhausted,,, playing non stop since Australia open....

[broadstairs]

Sapsiree just lost to Aprilla YUSWANDARI too but she still has time to improve and hope she won't have to be in qualification round soon cos playing 4 rounds in 3 days made her exhausted.

Now only Ratchanok is still in action but facing Wang Xin so I only hope Ratchanok gonna do her best and maybe make a surprise for us.

[chris-ccc]

Now my eyes are on to 2 XD pairs, Maneepong Jongjit,Savitree Amitapai and Nipitphon Puangpech,Nessara Somsri.

Maneepong and Savitree were doing well in India SS and still in Round2 in Malaysia GP.

Nitiphon and Nessara got defeat by the IDA pair at Malaysia GP but at least they got one game so hopefully they gonna be better and better.

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Maneepong JONGJIT/Savitree AMITAPAI today defeated Riky WIDIANTO/Shendy Puspa IRAWATI (INA) 21-18, 21-18 in 27 minutes to make it into the Quarter-Finals at the 2011 Malaysia Open GP Gold.
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[broadstairs]

Too bad for the Thai youngster pair, they meet the Thai veteran pair in QF but I really hope Maneepong/Savitree gonna make a good fight to Songphon/Kunchala. At least we've already booked a place in SF for sure.

[chris-ccc]

Too bad for the Thai youngster pair, they meet the Thai veteran pair in QF but I really hope Maneepong/Savitree gonna make a good fight to Songphon/Kunchala. At least we've already booked a place in SF for sure.

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One of the good things about Thailand players is that both the men and women players are equally strong. And this helps Thailand to have quite a good showing of strength in the Mixed Doubles.
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[chris-ccc]

One of the good things about Thailand players is that both the men and women players are equally strong. And this helps Thailand to have quite a good showing of strength in the Mixed Doubles.

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Therefore, for the 2011 Sudirman Cup, we could expect Thailand to perform well.

I read from broadstairs' post that these are the THA players participating in the 2011 Sudirman Cup;

Mens Singles

• Boonsak Polsana

• Sappanyu Avihingsanon

Womens Singles

• Porntip Buranaprasertsuk

• Ratchanok Inthanon

Salakjit isn't in the squad.

Mens Doubles

• Sudket Prapakamol/Songphon Anugritayawon

• Maneepong Jongjit/Bodin Issara

Womens Doubles

• Kunchala Voravichitchaikul/Duang Anong Aroonkesorn

• Saralee Thungthongkam/Savitree Amitrapai

Mixed Doubles

• Saralee Thungthongkam/Sudket Prapakamol

• Kunchala Voravichitchaikul/Songphon Anugritayawon

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[chris-ccc]

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At the 2011 Sudirman Cup, Thailand did not perform that well.

Recording their results (Group/Level 1);

* India defeated Thailand.......................3-2

* Chinese Taipei also defeated Thailand...3-2

But they close results.

Source: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sp...235BB87&draw=3
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[chris-ccc]

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At this week's 2011 Thailand Open GP Gold, 5 Thai players have made it into the Quarter-Finals;

* Womens Singles:
Porntip Buranaprasertsuk

* Mixed Doubles:
Saralee Thungthongkam/Sudket Prapakamol
Kunchala Voravichitchaikul/Songphon Anugritayawon

Hope the 5 players can progress further.

Source: http://www.tournamentsoftware.com/sp...ACC&d=20110610
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[chris-ccc]

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At this week's 2011 Badminton Asia Youth Under 19 Championships, Thai players have not shown strong results.

As I speak, these are the players who have made it to the next round;

* Girls Singles:
Pransopon Panjarat
(Today, defeated Sakuramoto Ayako (JPN) 21-10, 21-11 in 21 mins.

* Girls Doubles:
Phattanaphitoon Maetanee/Pransopon Panjarat
(Today, defeated Widjaya Gloria Emanuelle/Rosmini Khaeriah (INA) 21-19, 21-18 in 28 mins.

Pransopon Panjarat will be the one for us to follow.

Source: http://bwf.tournamentsoftware.com/sp...A-826083B14882
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[chris-ccc]

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Some insight into why Thailand is now a strong Badminton playing nation;

http://www.pattayamail.com/sports/pa...pionships-7274

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Friday, 28 October 2011
By William Macey

Hundreds of juniors from clubs all over Thailand, although not quite so many this year because of the floods in many areas, competed this month to be crowned individual or doubles champions of their particular age groups.

The championships have been held for many years and afford the opportunity for young boys and girls to progress to greater things, as has happened recently. A young Thai lady, Rachanok Inthanon, 16 when she won her first World Junior Crown, has since successfully defended her title for the second year. She is nearly 18 now, no longer qualifying for the junior competitions, and the next step is the Olympic Games and she has risen to number 12 in the world rankings.

Pattaya Sports Club has been supporting the Badminton Championships for 8 years and is very happy to make a contribution to provide an opportunity for the young people of Thailand to take part in this annual event.

Professor Charoen Wattanasin, President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, just one of his many hats, was there to offer his support and present trophies to some of the winners, as were members of the PSC Committee, representatives of the YWCA, and the CEO of the Amati Group.

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Have a look at the many photos provided in the source, for we might be able to identify them in a few years' time (just like young Thai lady, Rachanok Inthanon, who was there a few years ago).
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