Badminton world champion Loh loses crown

TOKYO: Singapore’s reigning badminton world champion Loh Kean Yew said he had “no regrets” after his title defence ended in a quarter-final loss to Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn in Tokyo on Friday.

Number eight seed Loh lost 21-12, 17-21, 21-8 to rising star Vitidsarn and said he had felt “no pressure” trying to defend his crown after winning the title last year in the Spanish city of Huelva.

“This week was fine,” said the 25-year-old, who said he struggled to cope with the drift inside Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.

“I just tried my best to fight for every point and that was all that matters.”

The 21-year-old Vitidsarn is a three-time junior world champion who is seen as one of world badminton’s best young players.

He said Loh had made “some easy mistakes” in their match and that he looked forward to a semi-final against China’s unseeded Zhao Junpeng. “This week I go step-by-step because it’s a big tournament with many top players and very difficult to play,” said Vitidsarn.

“I don’t think too much because if I think too much I have pressure in the game. I want to learn about the top players.” Loh said he would try to “improve everything” about his game after losing his title.