Thailand Badminton Star Confirms Last Asian Games

May Ratchanok Intanon has confirmed her withdrawal from international badminton after the Asian Games, having announced before the tournament that this would be her last appearance at the event. She faced world number one An Se-Young of South Korea—the current Olympic champion and former Asian Games champion—in the women's singles quarterfinals but was unable to match her opponent's intensity, losing 8-21, 9-21 in straight sets.

After the match, the 31-year-old reflected on the gap between her condition and her rival's level. "I have to admit my fitness is not ready," she said. "I still have knee tightness, and if we're not at 100 percent, beating her is very difficult. My coach and I both recognize I couldn't compete at all—not in game style, not in power. Yesterday's match and the early wake-up combined with my age mean I'm probably not as fit." She acknowledged that facing another opponent might have offered better medal chances, but against An Se-young she knew from the outset that her prospects were slim.

Ratchanok noted that this Asian Games was particularly challenging because avoiding world-class players like An Se-young in the quarterfinals would have been the minimum hope for an individual medal. "If we can't beat An Se-young, we still have China or others to face, and fitness is part of it," she explained. "But breaking through to get a medal involves more—they have overwhelming strength in rhythm and game planning, almost like facing a man." She remains focused on Olympic qualification for next year despite the physical limitations that come with age and experience.