Badminton News: The absence of defending Thai champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn has left the men’s singles competition at the SEA Games in Cambodia wide open.

World number 7 Kunlavut Vitidsarn was seen as the man to beat for gold but the 21-year-old will miss the championship to compete in the Sudirman Cup in Suzhou.

The prestigious Team Championships (May 14-21) go head-to-head with individual matches in the biennial SEA Games Championships taking place May 12-16. Thailand, on the other hand, will knock down Sitthikom Thammasin’s world No. 34 ranking.

The absence of 2022 World Championship silver medalist Kunlavut has opened the door for the rest of the field to fight for gold.

Singaporean world number 4 and last year’s silver medalist Loh Kean Yew will also not compete in the individual events as he will only compete in the team event.

In the absence of Kunlavut and Kean Yew, Indonesian players Shesar Hiren Rhustavito (#29) and Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo (#19) will be chasing the title while international badminton player Leong Jun Hao will be on the hunt. looking for a surprise.

After a disappointing start to the year, a much better showing at last month’s Orleans Masters that saw Jun Hao reach the quarter-finals gave him a timely boost.

23-year-old 2019 World Championships bronze medalist India Sai Praneeth (first round) and Japanese Swiss Open champion Koki Watanabe (second round) before being stopped by Danish runner-up Magnus Johannesen in the last eight.

Jun Hao’s fine performance propelled him from No. 1. 78 to No. 61 in the last ranking.

The pressure was mounting on Jun Hao’s shoulders after a promising young player, Justin Hoh, was ruled out of the competition following a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Lee Shun Yang will replace Justin while Jacky Kok and Ong Ken Yon will join the team event.

Article tags: Kunlavut Vitidsarn, SEA Games 2023, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, Shesar Hiren Rhustavito