Pornpawee, Kunlavut Reach Kumamoto Masters Quarters
Thailand's top shuttlers delivered mixed results at the Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026. Pornpawee Chochuwong and Kunlavut Vitidsarn both won in straight games to reach the quarterfinals, while Ratchanok Intanon, Supanida Katethong, and the mixed doubles pair of Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran were eliminated in the round of 16.
The badminton competition, Kumamoto Masters Japan 2026, a World Tour Super 500 tournament with total prize money of $500,000 (approximately 16.75 million baht), took place in Kumamoto City, Japan. On November 12, the second round (round of 16) featured women's singles: 'Mew' Pornpawee Chochuwong, world No. 8, against Japan's Natsuki Nidaira, world No. 38. Pornpawee won comfortably 2-0, with scores of 21-10 and 21-14, advancing to the third round (quarterfinals) where she will face China's Chen Yufei, world No. 4.
Meanwhile, 'May' Ratchanok Intanon, world No. 5, lost to Lin Hsiang-ti of Chinese Taipei (world No. 17) 0-2, 15-21, 21-19, ending her run at this stage. Similarly, 'May' Supanida Katethong (world No. 27) could not overcome Japan's Aya Ohori (world No. 2), losing 1-2: 21-18, 11-21, 13-21, also bowing out in the second round.
In men's singles, 'View' Kunlavut Vitidsarn (world No. 3) defeated South Korea's Woo Tae-bin (world No. 37) in straight games, 21-19 and 21-14, advancing to face France's Toma Junior Popov (world No. 13) next.
In mixed doubles, 'Bass' Dechapol Puavaranukroh and 'Fem' Supissara Paewsampran (world No. 5) lost in straight games to Japan's Akira Koga and Natsu Saito (world No. 13), 15-21 and 7-21, ending their campaign at this round.
