Shocks and surprises at Thailand International

Top seeds and world champions fall at Para badminton event 01 Aug 2018
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male Para badminton player Wong Chun Yim goes to hit a backhand

Wong Chun Yim pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament to win the men's singles SS6 in Thailand

ⒸBWF

Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Yim scored a major upset at the Thai Para Badminton International 2018 as he beat world champion Jack Shephard to take the men’s singles SS6 title.

Shephard took revenge in the men’s doubles though, teaming up with fellow Englishman Krysten Coombs to beat Wong and Chu Man Kai in the final.

Oktila dominates

Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila completed a three-gold haul, winning her singles, doubles and mixed doubles events in straight games.

Oktila claimed the women’s singles SL4 title with a quick win over France’s Faustine Noel. She then teamed up with Hary Susanto for the SL3 – SU5 Mixed Doubles, and they held off compatriots Fredy Setiawan and Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko in the closest match of the day.

Thrilling comeback

Another exciting encounter was the women’s singles WH2 final between Japan’s Yuma Yamazaki and local hope Amnouy Wetwithan. Yamazaki staged an escape act from 16-20 down in the third to win the match.

Wetwithan gained consolation by winning the women’s doubles WH1 – WH2 final with compatriot Sujirat Pookkham, beating Sarina Satomi and Yamazaki. Pookkham returned with double gold, after winning the women’s WH1 singles by defeating Japan’s Ikumi Fuke.

“I feel great and proud of myself,” said Pookkham. “I am able to keep my spot as the world’s top ranked player. This tournament is held in my home country so I am grateful to get a lot of support from the crowd here and my family members as well.”

South Korean success

South Korea’s Kim Jungjun continued his dominance of the men’s WH2 singles, but it was a tough contest against Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen.

Jungjun lost out in the mixed doubles WH1 – WH2 though, as he and Son Ok Cha were beaten by Yamazaki and Osamu Nagashima of Japan.

“Jungjun is such a good and strong player, he can return almost every shuttle you hit at him,” said Yamazaki. “But this time I was able to execute my shots well and I am delighted to have won the match.”

The men’s singles WH1 gold went to Jungjun’s men’s doubles partner Lee Dong Seop. The South Korean beat Germany’s Thomas Wandschneider in the final.

“I won this title here last year so this win makes it two in a row. I’m delighted and it’s a proud moment for me. I’m not 100 percent satisfied with my performance, maybe just 70 percent,” said Lee.

Toyoda toppled

Denmark’s Catherine Rosengren surprised top seed Mamiko Toyoda of Japan to take gold in the women’s singles SU5, while the men’s event was won by Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi over compatriot Suryo Nugroho.

Anrimusthi also triumphed in the men’s doubles SU5 alongside Hafizh Briliansyah Prawiranegara, beating Malaysia’s Cheah Like Hou/Hairol Fozi Saaba.

Pramod Bhagat triumphed in the all-India final of the men’s singles SL3, beating Manoj Sarkar, while the SL4 title went to France’s Lucas Mazur.