Kunlavut Vitidsarn scripted history by becoming the first man from Thailand to win the Singapore Open.
The 24-year-old scaled the top of the world rankings by crushing China’s unseeded Lu Guangzu 21-6, 21-10 in just 37 minutes.
Paris Olympics silver medallist Kunlavut displaces Chinese player, Shi Yuqi, as world number one in a major milestone for Thai badminton.
The victory marked Kunlavut’s fourth title of the season and is set to propel him to the world No. 1 ranking in the men’s singles when the Badminton World Federation (BWF) releases its latest standings next week. He will also become the first men’s singles player born after 2000 to achieve the top ranking.
Kunlavut said of the match: “It’s difficult to control and defend against left-handed players. I have to focus, and remember how he likes to play. In this tournament, I have to attack first and take the initiative because the shuttle is very fast and difficult to play with the draught.
Earlier, Thai mixed doubles stars Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran captured their title by defeating Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet of Hong Kong, China, 2-0 in the final.
Kunlavut was born on July 16, 2001, in Nonthaburi, Thailand, and quickly emerged as one of the country’s most promising young shuttlers. He first attracted international attention by winning the BWF World Junior Championships three years in a row (2017–2019), becoming only the second player ever to claim that crown three times.
He won the gold medals at the 2023 World Championships and 2025 Asian Championships, as well as a silver medal in the 2024 Olympic Games.
He is nicknamed the “Three-Game God” because his defensive style generally requires him to play three games long and is likely to win in the end due to the opponent’s stamina loss.
Also Read: Kunlavut Vitidsarn: The Three Game God
Singapore Open 2025: Champions
| Event | Winners | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Men’s Singles | Kunlavut Vitidsarn | Thailand |
| Women’s Singles | Chen Yufei | China |
| Men’s Doubles | Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik | Malaysia |
| Women’s Doubles | Kim Hye-jeong & Kong Hee-yong | South Korea |
| Mixed Doubles | Dechapol Puavaranukroh & Supissara Paewsampran | Thailand |
