Copenhagen: A historic moment unfolded at the Royal Arena in Copenhagen, marking a pivotal shift in the landscape of badminton, as the sport’s younger generation takes center stage.
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn, a 22-year-old ranked third in the world, and South Korea’s 21-year-old An Se Young, the top-ranked player globally, etched their names in the badminton history as they seized the crowns of the men’s singles and women’s singles championships, respectively, at the World Championships.
Highlights of Kunlavut Vitidsarn vs. Kodai Naraoka in the 2023 World Championships final:
In a gripping men’s singles final on Sunday, Vitidsarn battled relentlessly to secure victory against his formidable rival, World No. 4 Kodai Naraoka, also 22 years old, in an intense battle that lasted an hour and 49 minutes. The encounter marked their seventh meeting, with Vitidsarn clinching the upper hand, amassing four wins against Naraoka’s three.
Vitidsarn’s triumph proved groundbreaking for Thailand, as he became the first Thai athlete to clinch the men’s singles championship since the inception of the World Badminton Championships in 1977. His accomplishment not only elevated him but also signaled a major stride in the development of badminton in Thailand.
This marked Vitidsarn’s third participation in the World Championships, having come tantalizingly close to victory last year against Denmark’s top seed, Viktor Axelsen. His debut in 2021 was halted at the round of 64.
The clash between Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Kodai Naraoka epitomized a test of endurance and strategy, characterized by meticulous and calculated gameplay. The duo’s shared proficiency in employing four-corner tactics often resulted in protracted matches. The Sunday showdown was no exception, constituting another grueling contest that extended for 1 hour and 49 minutes. A prior face-off in the Malaysia Open earlier this year led to an equally intense marathon of 1 hour and 53 minutes.
Their history traces back to the 2018 World Junior Badminton Championships, where Vitidsarn emerged victorious in the men’s singles final, defending his title in straight sets. Their evolution over the course of five years culminated in a clash for the men’s singles championship at the World Championships. This momentous encounter ushers in a new era of men’s singles badminton on the global platform.
In the women’s singles division, An Se Young, World No. 1, scripted her own narrative in the world of badminton. She outshone Spain’s Carolina Marin, a three-time champion, etching her name in South Korean badminton history as the pioneer South Korean woman to seize the world championships title in women’s singles.
Highlights of An Se Young vs. Carolina Marin in the 2023 World Championships final:
With seven titles already to her credit prior to the World Championships, the 21-year-old An Se Young was unequivocally the favored contender for the women’s singles title. In a show of absolute dominance, she swept aside the former Olympic gold medalist and former world champion, Carolina Marin, posting scores of 21-12, 21-10. This victory signified her eighth triumph of the year, affirming her status as a preeminent figure in women’s singles badminton.
An’s victory in the World Championships final extended her edge to six wins against Marin’s four. Their previous encounters in the finals included the 2019 French Open and the 2023 Indonesia Masters, both decisively claimed by An Se Young.
Marin, having recently entered her thirties, had clinched titles in 2014, 2015, and 2018, leaving an indelible mark on the history of women’s singles in the World Championships. Although Marin showcased a commendable resurgence this year after a knee surgery, her performance in this tournament fell short. With the 2024 Paris Olympics looming a year ahead, Marin is poised to emerge as a formidable contender for the coveted Olympic gold medal in Paris.
