Kunravut, a 22-year-old men's singles who made Thai badminton history by winning the world title at the World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen, returned home on Tuesday with a grand welcome at the airport, where his parents and sister were there and proud of him.
The new men's singles world champion Kunravut was greeted at the airport on Tuesday, as were his parents Natawa and Nutkanok and his sister Saran Lak in attendance. (Photo by Thai Hazuo)
Kunravut, a 22-year-old men's singles who made Thai badminton history by winning the world title at the World Badminton Championships in Copenhagen, returned home on Tuesday with a grand welcome at the airport, where his parents and sister were there and proud of him. Kunravut said that he will not change his style of play in the future, and will soon participate in next week's China Badminton Super 1000 tournament.
Kunravut, who finished runner-up in the final of last year's World Badminton Championships in Tokyo, reached the final for the second time this year, and after a fierce battle of 1 hour and 49 minutes, he defeated Japanese opponent Kodai Naraoka 19-21, 21-18, 21-7 to become the first Thai men's singles to win the world title.
Kunravut said that he will not change his style of play in the future, and will soon compete for next week's China Super Badminton 1000 tournament. (Photo by Thai Hazuo)
Taiyu's 3rd World Championship
Kunravut, who won two consecutive World Badminton Championships, is also Thailand's third badminton world champion after Thailand's women's singles Rachano in 2013 and Thailand's mixed doubles Dechapo and Sasili in 2021.
Thailand joined Kunravut's parents Natawa and Nutkanok, sister Salon Lak, students at Thonburi University in Bangkok and the media on Tuesday to welcome Kunravut back home.
Kunravut: Finally a dream come true
Speaking to the media at the airport, Kunravut said he was very happy to have successfully won the world championship, which was a kind of compensation for the previous runner-up finish. Since becoming a pro, he has always dreamed of winning the world championship, and this time it has finally come true. After the World Badminton Championships, the badminton world took a week's break, followed by non-stop China Super 1000 from 5 to 10 September, Hong Kong Super 500 from 12 to 17 September and the Hangzhou Asian Games from 23 September to 8 October.
Speaking to the media at the airport, Kunravut said he was very happy to have successfully won the world championship, which was a kind of compensation for the previous runner-up finish. Since becoming a pro, he has always dreamed of winning the world championship, and this time it has finally come true. (Photo by Thai Hazuo)
Weigh focusing on one game at a time
Kunravut said it was uncertain whether competing in multiple competitions in a row would affect their performance at the Asian Games because they could not train exactly according to the predetermined schedule and sometimes their physical condition could not be at their best. "I think it's better to think about one game at a time, because if I think too much, the pressure will increase and then I will lose myself."
Still, Kun Ravut says he won't change his style of play, just adding more training between matches to ensure he can stay fit in subsequent matches. He also thinks his opponents already know his style, but if his fitness is good enough, he can still compete with his opponents.
Salenrak is also proud of her brother Kunravut's success and has learned a lot from him, and she has her own goals and hopes to work her badminton path. (Thai Haso Facebook)
Father: The great pride of the family
Kunravut's father, Natawa, said that from the beginning, he let his son compete in badminton to help him overcome his physique allergies, but now that he has reached the height of becoming a world champion, it is a great joy and pride for the family.
He also reflected on Kunravut's start and said they never expected to achieve such an achievement at the time, so they were nervous and trying to cheer him on during the race, but before the final fight, they were almost certain that Kun Lavot would win.
The younger sister wants to follow in the footsteps of Kunravut
Kunravut's sister, Salen Lak, is also proud of her brother's success and has learned a lot from him, and she also has her own goals and hopes to work her badminton path.