Before Inthanon, no Thai badminton player had ever won a world title at either the senior or junior level championships. Inathanon also made history as the youngest gold medalist, at age 14.
Terrific Thais: Ratchanok Inthanon (left) posing with the girls’ singles
trophy alongside runnerup medalist Porntip Buranaprasertuk.
In the semi-final, Inthanon was also in devastating form and subdued the challenge from Suo Di of China, winning in straight games 21-14, 21-18. Inthanon joins an elite few players who have denied China the girl’s singles crown. Last year, India’s Saina Nehwal won the title in Pune. Prior to that, China were only denied the title in 1992 (Kristin Junita from Indonesia) and 2004 (Cheng Shao-Chieh from Chinese Taipei).
Inthanon’s win was also Thailand’s first singles world title in either the senior or junior ranks. If she maintains her form, Inthanon could even continue to collect an astonishing five world junior titles, as she is eligible to compete in the Under-19 category until 2013.After clinching the world junior title in 49 minutes, Inthanon has now set her sights on making a name for herself in the senior scene, beginning with the Malaysian International Challenge in Ipoh this month and the SEA Games in Laos in December.
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