Rising Thai badminton stars target Olympics berth

Rising Thai badminton stars target Olympics berth

Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Kittinupong Ketlen have set their sights on qualfyiing for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after winning the world junior title last week.

Dechapol Puavaranukroh, right, and Kittinupong Ketlen with a bouquet of flowers from HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and HRH Princess Srirasm. Thanarak Khoonton

The duo became Thailand’s first pair to win the men’s doubles title at the World Junior Championships with their success in Malaysia last week.

With their world junior crown, they followed in the footsteps of Ratchanok Intanon, who won the women’s singles title from 2009-2011 and Maneepong Jongjit and Rojana Jutabandit, who claimed the mixed doubles title in 2009.

Winning the world junior title is a sign that Dechapol and Kittinupong have bright futures.

Ratchanok went on to win the world title at the senior level last year, while Maneepong is now a top men’s doubles player.

Dechapol and Kittinupong received a huge boost yesterday when they were presented with a bouquet of flowers from HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and HRH Princess Srirasm.

“We feel really grateful for their royal kindness,” said Dechapol of the gift. “It will encourage us to work harder.”

Dechapol and Kittinupong are currently ranked 145th in the world in the men’s doubles and they aim to reach the top 50 and win a berth for the 2016 Olympics.

“Our next target is moving into the top 50 in the world and qualifying for the Olympics,” said Dechapol of the challenge ahead.

Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, said that it was a great honour for the players and the association.

She said the success would inspire young people to take up the sport.

“It will not only encourage the pair to work harder for more challenging tasks but also encourage young people to play badminton,” she said.

Thailand’s next tournament is the Badminton Asia Championships in South Korea this week, followed by the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup in India from May 18-25.

“In the Thomas Cup and the Uber Cup, we hope to reach the quarter-finals in both events,’’ said Patama.

“As for the Asian championships, I believe our players will do well.”

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