Kunlavut Vitidsarn and Chen Yu Fei both claimed singles titles at the Singapore Open, while 2025 YONEX All England men’s doubles winners Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae claimed silver.
It was double gold for Thailand as Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran won the mixed doubles to add to Vitidsarn’s solo triumph.
Wrapping up the title spots, Malaysia took gold in the men’s doubles as Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik defeated Kim and Seo to take gold while Kim Hye Jeong and Kong Hee Yong took victory for South Korea in the women’s doubles.
It was a comprehensive victory for Vitidsarn in the men’s singles. The 24-year-old, who ranks second in the world, defeated Chinese Taipei’s Lin Chun-Yi 21-11 25-23 in the semi-final before exerting his dominance in the final.
He took victory in just 37 minutes against China’s Lu Guang Zu, winning 21-6 21-10 to secure the title in decisive fashion.
China’s Chen trod a slightly more taxing path to the final as she was taken to three games in two of her matches, including a semi-final victory over compatriot Han Yue.
She came from behind to triumph 12-21 21-15 21-12 against Han and secure a meeting with fellow Chinese competitor Wang Zhi Yi in the final.
Once more it was a comprehensive victory in the decisive match as Chen won 21-11 21-11 to take home China’s only gold of the competition, though one of seven medals.
In the men’s doubles, Chia and Soh were taken to three games by YONEX All England champions Kim and Seo in a closely fought encounter.
The South Korean pair triumphed in the first game, winning 21-15, but Chia and Soh rallied to take slender victories in the subsequent two games 21-18 21-19 to take home the gold medal for Malaysia.
But while South Korea could not take the gold in the men’s doubles, their women proved more successful to secure the accolade in the women’s doubles.
Kim and Kong proved a dominant force, winning 10 of their 11 games across the competition.
Their only defeat came across a three-game semi-final as they triumphed 21-12 19-21 21-9 against China’s Jia Yi Fan and Zhang Shu Xian to secure a spot in the final.
Once there, their dominance was restored as they took 21-16 21-14 victory to seal the gold medal against Japan’s Rin Iwanaga and Kie Nakanishi in 48 minutes.
Finally, Puavaranukroh and Paewsampran wrapped up an impressive tournament for Thailand in another blistering run to the gold medal, winning 10 games of their 12.
Having seen off Chinese Taipei’s Ye Hong Wei and Nicole Gonzales Chan 21-12 21-12 in 32 minutes in the semi-final, they met Hong Kong’s Tang Chun Man and Tse Ying Suet in the final.
The decisive match was completed in similarly swift fashion as the Thai pair wrapped up gold in 34 minutes with 21-16 21-9 victory.
Photo credit: Raphael Sachetat via Badminton Photo
