Kunlavut still on track for Olympic gold

Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, badminton’s 2023 world champion, continues his quest for an Olympic medal after pulling off a surprise win against China’s top player Shi Yu Qi, in a jaw-dropping 21-12, 21-10 straight sets victory.

Shi was a favourite to take gold, but the 23-year-old Thai played brilliantly, causing the biggest upset in the competition so far.

In the men’s singles semi-final tomorrow, Kunlavut will meet Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia.

Zii Jia advanced to the semi-finals of the 2024 Paris Olympics, beating Anders Antonsen from Denmark in straight sets yesterday.

Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia celebrates his win against Denmark's Anders Antonsen in their men's singles badminton quarter-final match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on August 2.//AFP

On facing Kunlavut, Zii Jia said "My head-to-head record against him is not very good and he is a world champion…. he has beaten the top seed and he is definitely on his best form and full of confidence. I have to prepare myself well and let's see how it goes."

It could be a close encounter, based on the head-to-head records, as Zii Jia and Kunlavut have both beaten the other four times in their past eight meetings.

Meanwhile, Ratchanok Intanon, another Thai badminton star and former world champion, advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling victory over Taiwanese player Tai Tzu Ying in the quarter-finals, winning 22-20, 21-19.

Main photo: Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn celebrates winning against China's Shi Yuqi in their men's singles badminton quarter-final match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Porte de la Chapelle Arena in Paris on August 2.//AFP