Kim and Wetwithan win 2017 Para badminton awards

South Korea’s Jungjun Kim and Thailand’s Amnouy Wetwithan were among the athletes honoured by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) for their outstanding achievements in the 2017 season.

Kim was named the Male Para Badminton Player of the Year, and Wetwithan received the Female Para Badminton Player of the Year accolades during a reception and gala dinner in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Monday (11 December).

“This is a great recognition of my efforts,” said Wetwithan. “This award will be a boost not only for Para badminton, but for all Para sport in Thailand. Last year I was a contender for the award but could not get it. This year my achievements were better, so I’m very proud.”

Wetwithan finished the year with 11 medals, seven being gold. The Thai athlete captured the world title in the mixed doubles WH 1-2 at the World Championships in Ulsan, South Korea, in November. She also won all three of her events (women’s singles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles) at the Ireland Para Badminton International; and three more golds from international competitions in Thailand and Japan.

Kim collected 14 medals this year, with 12 gold. Those included a successful defence of his men’s singles WH 2 world title, and he added the men’s doubles WH 1-2 gold medal in front of his home crowd.