Badminton News: All eyes will be on China at the Nongnooch International Convention Exhibition Center in Pattaya’s Chonburi district, where the 2023 BWF Thailand Para International competition will take place from May 9-14.
Qu Zimo, Liu Yu Tong and Mai Jian Peng will bring China back to the international stage for the first time in nearly two years since their last court appearance at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.
Competition is expected to be fierce as there is no shortage of world and Paralympic champions, with this year’s edition attracting 347 participants from 34 countries.
India have fielded over 60 players including headliners Pramod Bhagat, Krishna Nagar, Manasi Girishchandra Joshi and Manisha Ramadass.
World Champion Daiki Kajiwara (Japan) will look to continue his winning streak alongside teammates Sarina Satomi and Yuma Yamazaki.
Helle Sofie Sagoey from Norway and Oksana Kozyna from Ukraine both look fit and ready to take on the competition, as do Rickard Nilsson from Sweden and Daniel Bethell from England.
There are also a number of promising young players to watch, including 17-year-old Miles Krajewski representing the United States and 16-year-old Maud Lefort of France.
The room is new and large. Bigger than any place most badminton players have ever seen or played. The scoreboard and floor-to-ceiling LED screens, the 10 playing fields, the four training fields and the two warm-up fields may all seem overwhelming at first glance, but some gamers may be impressed.
“It’s a different feeling to play in such a big, but cozy and special venue. There are so many courts that I don’t think there will be any postponement of matches,” said Chanida Srinavakul of Thailand who won the Standing Lower (SL3)-Standing Upper (SL5) women’s doubles last year with Nipada Saensupa.
“All pitches, including the training and warm-up pitches, are within the hall and all facilities are on one level, such as the athletes’ waiting room, dining room, storage and wheelchair repair. There must be plenty of room,” said tournament director Paisan Rangsikitpho.
Article Tags: China, Thailand Para International 2023
