Hong Kong’s Wong Chun Yim (featured image) scored a major upset at the Thai Para-Badminton International 2018 when he got the better of World champion Jack Shephard in the SS 6 Men’s Singles final on Sunday.
The top seed from England was upstaged 21-14 21-14 by the 3-4 seed from Hong Kong in the Short Stature category. Second seed Krysten Coombs (England) crashed out in the quarter-finals to India’s Naga Krishna, who was in turn beaten by Wong 21-18 21-15.
However, Shephard and Coombs claimed the SS 6 Men’s Doubles title beating Wong and Chu Man Kai 14-21 21-11 21-16.
Indonesia’s Leani Ratri Oktila completed a three-gold haul, winning her singles, doubles and Mixed Doubles events in straight games. Oktila claimed the SL 4 (Standing Lower) Women’s Singles title with a quick 21-2 21-12 result over France’s Faustine Noel. She then teamed up with Hary Susanto for the SL 3 – SU 5 Mixed Doubles, and they held off compatriots Fredy Setiawan/Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko in the closest match of the day: 24-22 17-21 23-21.
Another exciting encounter was the WH 2 (Wheelchair) Women’s Singles final between Japan’s Yuma Yamazaki and local hope Amnouy Wetwithan. Yamazaki staged an escape act from 16-20 down in the third to win the match 22-20 17-21 22-20.
Wetwithan gained consolation by winning the WH 1 – WH 2 Women’s Doubles final with compatriot Sujirat Pookkham over Sarina Satomi and Yuma Yamazaki 21-16 21-13. Pookkham returned with a double, as she had earlier won the WH 1 Women’s Singles over Japan’s Ikumi Fuke 21-7 21-10.
“I feel great and proud of myself,” said Pookkham. “I am able to keep my spot as the world’s top ranked player. This tournament is held in my home country so I am grateful to get a lot of support from the crowd here and my family members as well.”
Korea’s Kim Jungjun continued his dominance of WH 2 Men’s Singles, but it was a tough contest against Hong Kong’s Chan Ho Yuen. The top seed edged past his challenger 27-25 18-21 21-16.
Yamazaki, Wetwithan’s conqueror in the WH 2 Women’s Singles final, also claimed victory in the WH 1 – WH 2 Mixed Doubles final with Osamu Nagashima after defeating Kim Jungjun and Son Ok Cha 21-12 21-14.
“Jungjun is such a good and strong player, he can return almost every shuttle you hit at him,” said Yamazaki. “But this time I was able to execute my shots well and I am delighted to have won the match.”
His doubles partner Lee Dong Seop also found solace in his solo event, upstaging Germany’s Thomas Wandschneider 21-7 21-9 in the WH 1 Men’s Singles final.
Kim’s Men’s Doubles partner Lee Dong Seop clinched his WH 1 Men’s Singles beating Germany’s Thomas Wandschneider 21-9 21-7.
“I won this title here last year so this win makes it two in a row. I’m delighted and it’s a proud moment for me. I’m not 100 percent satisfied with my performance, maybe just 70 percent,” said Lee Dong Seop.
Denmark’s Catherine Rosengren surprised top seed Mamiko Toyoda (Japan) in the SU 5 (Standing Upper) Women’s Singles final, while the Men’s Singles in the same category was won by Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi over compatriot Suryo Nugroho, 21-15 21-17.
Anrimusthi also triumphed in the SU 5 Men’s Doubles with Hafizh Briliansyah Prawiranegara, beating Malaysia’s Cheah Like Hou/Hairol Fozi Saaba 21-19 21-11.
In the SL 3 (Standing Lower) Men’s Singles all-India final between Manoj Sarkar and Pramod Bhagat, it was the 3-4 seed Bhagat who came on top, 21-18 21-9.
France’s Lucas Mazur won the SL 4 Men’s Singles, holding off Korea’s Shin Kyung Hwan 21-11 21-17.
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