Thailand’s Intanon aims to banish London blues in Rio

BIRMINGHAM, England: Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon has blazed a trail in women’s badminton ever since she became the youngest ever world champion in 2013 at just 18. Yet the young Thai has unfinished business later this year at the Rio Olympics as she bids to put the heartbreak of London 2012 behind her.Four years ago, Intanon found herself a game and 16-9 up in the quarter-finals against China’s Wang Xin. But tears were to follow as she failed to convert her advantage into a medal tilt.

“It was my worst experience as a player,” she told Reuters at the All-England championships.

“When I was interviewed by reporters, I couldn’t stop crying,” she added.

Defeat, she says, spurred her on to greater heights a year later when she broke China’s eight-year stranglehold to lift the world title.

Intanon has since risen to world number four thanks to an all-round game built on deception, court craft and speed.

The recent Thailand Masters champion has sought to rectify those problems ahead of Rio.

“I like to win quickly,” said Intanon, who wears dental braces. “Sometimes that can affect my body, but I have trained this year to win big events. I believe that I can win a medal and I am focused on a gold. There are many players coming into form, but if I can play within myself I can beat anyone,” she added.