RATCHANOK CREATES WORLD AND THAI BADMINTON HISTORY

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Thailand’s 14-year-old Ratchanok Intanon wrote herself into the badminton history books by winning the World Junior girls’ singles title, beating teammate Porntip Buranaorasertsuk 21-15, 21-23, 21-10 in all-Thailand final which lasted 50 minutes.

She became the youngest ever player to win the title which had been previously dominated China since the inception of the championships in 1992.

The only time China were denied the girls’ title was in 1992 when Indonesia’s Kristin Junita was the champion, Chinese Taipeh’s Cheng Shao-Chieh in 2004 and India’s Saina Nehwal last year.

Ratchanok, who comes from a poor family in Bangkok, will also go down in the history of Thai badminton as the first woman to land a world title at either junior or senior level for her efforts at the Sultan Abdul Halim Indoor Stadium in Alor Star, winning the title in this year’s Yonex-Sunrise BWF World Junior Championships, Ratchonak will also get financial rewards from the Thai government.

Badminton Association of Thailand secretary-general Surasak Songvorakulpan said all the title winners will get RM20,000 each while the runners-up will pocket RM10,000 each (including doubles).

Beaten semifinalists will get RM5,000 each.

While Ratchanok is the first woman to land a world title, Maneepong Jongjit-Rodjana Chuthabunditkul had the distinction of winning the first ever world title at either senior or junior level.

Maneepong-Rodjana, seeded 3/4 in Alor Star, beat Indonesians Angga Pratama-Destiara Haris Della 21-19, 14-21, 21-17 to take the mixed doubles title in 38 minutes.

Ratchanok, however, will not be able to compete in next year’s Youth Olympics in Singapore as she is under-aged. The Youth Olympics, to be held in Singapore, is only for those aged 16 and 17 years while she is only 14.

“It has been close battles between us in the past and tonight was no different,” said Ratchanok who trains with Banthong Yod Badminton Club in Bangkok, where her father also works.

Porntip, was not disappointed in losing the final in her last appearance in the Junior Championships.

“I gave my best. But Ratchanok was just too good on the night. I am pleased and happy with what I have achieved here,” said Porntip, who has been playing in Super Series events for the last three years.

Now, Ratchanok will also step into Porntip’s shoes and play at the senior level for “exposure and experience” as she looks for better things to come in her badminton career.

“We will expose her in the Super Series events. The Thai BA will keep tabs on her progress so that she does not get burnt out at an early age,” said Surasak.

Thailand also retained the bronze in the mixed team bronze.

WBF deputy president Paisan Rangsikitpho gave away the prizes to