Pop'o Shares Keys to Mixed Doubles Success with Young Partner
Thailand's Pop'o Setsiri Taetratanachai is mentoring young partner Omo Phakphol Theeratanasuul in mixed doubles, focusing on emotional control and confidence ahead of the 2026 World Badminton Championships in August.
The Badminton World Federation website has published an interview with renowned Thai badminton player Pop'o Setsiri Taetratanachai about her role as the senior partner in a new mixed doubles pairing with 21-year-old Omo Phakphol Theeratanasuul. The pair will compete in the 2026 World Badminton Championships beginning August 17, with both receiving byes in the first round. The BWF website has praised the Thai mixed doubles combination for showing steady improvement throughout 2026. In the interview, Pop'o, 34, emphasized that she works to help her younger partner with emotional control, which she considers crucial. "Because he still needs more experience, I try to guide and advise him. Sometimes he lacks confidence, so I try to support him and teach him about mixed doubles play," Pop'o said. "When he makes a mistake, I tell him, 'It's okay, move on to the next point, try to do your best on every rally.'" "My goal is to help him win a medal on the podium," she added.
