Irresistible Amnouy triumphs

Irresistible Amnouy triumphs

Thai shocks Turkey's Seckin for singles title, teams up with Sujirat to claim doubles

Wheelchair champion Amnouy Wetwithan (centre front) is congratulated by Thai badminton chief Patama Leeswadtrakul, standing behind her.
Wheelchair champion Amnouy Wetwithan (centre front) is congratulated by Thai badminton chief Patama Leeswadtrakul, standing behind her.

The hosts secured two wheelchair gold medals at the Thailand Para-Badminton International 2019 as Amnouy Wetwithan retained her women's doubles WH1-2 title and also won the women's singles WH2 final.

"I'm so tired right now," said Amnouy, after she and partner Sujirat Pookham defeated Japan's Ikumi Fuke and Rie Ogura 21-10, 21-12 at Indoor Stadium, Hua Mark.

Amnuoy had earlier won her WH2 women's singles match against the top seed, Turkey's Emine Seckin, 21-16, 21-17.

In the same tournament last year, Amnuoy won silver in the women's singles and gold in the women's doubles but could manage only a silver medal at the Para-Badminton World Championships in Basel in August.

On home court, Amnuoy was unbeatable this week, making it through her singles and doubles group and elimination rounds without dropping a game.

"I went into both my matches today very confident and particularly in the doubles, I was able to read my opponents' moves quite well and that was the advantage my partner and I had over them," said Amnouy.

Not fully satisfied with her almost flawless performance this week, she added: "I'm grateful to Sujirat and the Thai team for their support but this win is mainly for all my hard work. Still, I know I need to continue to improve. I need to look at the mistakes I've made and ensure I correct them in the lead up to the Paralympics."

Sarina Satomi clinched the women's singles wheelchair 1 (WH1) gold for Japan defeating Germany's Valeska Knoblauch 21-17, 21-13.

The mixed doubles WH1-2 final was entertaining as Nina Gorodetzky and Amir Levi beat Cynthia Mathez (Switzerland) and Abu Hubaida (India) 18-21, 21-13, 21-14.

"Nina and I have a great partnership on the court," said Levi. bwfbadminton.com

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