Thai Para: Daily Discussions Lead to Gold

Belgium’s To Man Kei and Hong Kong China’s Chan Ho Yuen are friends but never expected to win a gold medal as WH1-WH2 mixed doubles partners at Thailand Para Badminton International 2023 in Pattaya.

“When we decided to do this, I was a little daunted,” revealed To. “Chan is such a good player and fast. I didn’t think I could keep up but by the second day we had figured it out. We discussed what we would do every day and kept talking on court. I listen to him and it works.”

Chan, the WH2 men’s singles world No.3, added: “People think if you are good at singles, you are also good at doubles. Doesn’t always work that way. Mixed doubles is totally different.”

Korea’s Choi Jung Man and Kim Jungjun held off Paralympic champions Qu Zimo/Mai Jianpeng (China) 21-17 14-21 21-17 to win the WH1-WH2 men’s doubles gold.

Earlier in WH1 men’s singles, Choi lost to Qu 21-12 8-21 19-21.

“After losing to him, I thought about what I can do better. As I kept, playing I figured out how we could win. We may be older but we are still strong. We can keep going,” said 44-year-old Choi.

Choi (left) turned the tables on Qu in doubles.

China’s Liu Yutong takes home the WH2 women’s singles gold after defeating teammate Li Hongyan 21-14 21-10.

“Coming back into competition is exciting but on the first day, just before my match, I was so excited and nervous I nearly threw up,” said Liu.

“Although I’m excited, I’m also worried. All my opponents have improved and the new ones are good too. I’m already feeling the pressure.”

Japan’s Daiki Kajiwara kept the audience guessing before finishing off his WH2 men’s singles final against Korean Sooyoung Yu 22-20 21-13.

“He’s powerful so I had to take my time and play long rallies because that’s what I’m better at,” said Kajiwara. “The next big target is Paris 2024 gold in singles and doubles.”

Kajiwara racks up the wins.

Sarina Satomi added two more gold medals to Japan’s haul.

Satomi defeated To 21-17 21-12 in WH1 women’s singles, then partnered Yuma Yamazaki to take out Liu and Yin Menglu 14-21 22-20 21-17 in WH1-WH2 women’s doubles.

Results (Finals)

Olympic and Paralympic News

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

‘There’s Much More in Our Tank’

1 March 2024
Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

Tai Tzu Ying, The Second Coming

29 February 2024
Take Two, with New Mates

Take Two, with New Mates

15 February 2024
Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

Badminton Venue for Olympics and Paralympics Inaugurated

13 February 2024
Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

Kang & Seo: Showcasing Winning Ability

12 February 2024
Paris Dreaming

Paris Dreaming

8 February 2024
Sprint Begins

Sprint Begins

7 February 2024
Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

Malaysia Open: ‘Anything is Possible’

10 January 2024
In the League of Greats

In the League of Greats

7 January 2024
Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

Malaysian Duo Look to Build on Gains from Last Season

6 January 2024
Game for Friendly Fight

Game for Friendly Fight

5 January 2024
Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

Gilmour: Grit and Grace on the Road to Paris 2024

4 January 2024
Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

Season Preview: Towards Paris 2024

2 January 2024
Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

Dubai Para: ‘My Shots Were Perfect’

13 December 2023
Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

Dubai Para: Monteiro Focused on Meticulous Planning

12 December 2023
BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

BWF Presents Super Smash Squad: Unleashing Badminton Heroes

25 October 2023
Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

Naraoka, An Se Young Lead Race to Paris

4 August 2023
Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

Paris 2024: With a Year to Go, Festive Spirit Pervades

26 July 2023
Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

Badminton Lets Pu Gui Yu Enjoy the World

20 July 2023
Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

Two Olympic Champs Aiding Weng’s Growth

28 June 2023
Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

Canada Para: Bethell Extends Dominance Over Bhagat

19 June 2023
Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

Thai Para: Indonesia, Malaysia Halt China’s Domination

14 May 2023
Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

Thai Para: Overcoming the Racket

13 May 2023
Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

Thai Para: ‘I Got Tired of Losing’

12 May 2023
Thai Para: It’s Looking Up for Krajewski

Thai Para: It’s Looking Up for Krajewski

11 May 2023
The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

The Bell Sounds for Paris 2024

1 May 2023
French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to March

French Open 2024 to be Played at Paris 2024 Venue; Rescheduled to...

27 April 2023
Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

Registration Deadline for Single Tickets Approaches

15 April 2023
Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

Spanish Para: Bethell Brings it Home for the Team

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

Spanish Para: Double Winner Kajiwara Keeping it Fun

27 February 2023
Spanish Para: Sooyoung So Good

Spanish Para: Sooyoung So Good

26 February 2023
Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

Spanish Para: My Time to Shine, Enthuses Ikhtiar

26 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

Spanish Para: ‘Anyone’s Playing Field’

25 February 2023
Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

Spanish Para: It’s All Smiles for Loquette

24 February 2023
Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

Spanish Para: Jones-Barnes Spreading the Joy of Badminton

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

Spanish Para: Patience Key for Self Motivator Bunsun

23 February 2023
Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

Spanish Para: ‘This One’s For You, Bello’

22 February 2023
Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

Spanish Para: New Season Brings New Faces

21 February 2023
Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

Para Shuttlers’ Road to Paris Begins in Spain

18 February 2023
Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

Wandschneider/Hellman Chasing Fresh Records

4 January 2023
‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

‘Extraordinary Year’ for Dual Paralympian Mathez

23 December 2022
Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

Ticketing Opens for Paris 2024

13 December 2022
Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

Para Badminton Events for 2023 Confirmed, Paris 2024 Journey Begins

26 November 2022
‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

‘France in Good Position to be Top Five in World’

17 November 2022
Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

Schedule Announced as Two-Year Countdown to Paris 2024 Begins

28 July 2022