Top-Ranked Kulwutthichanon Eyes Podium Finish at Asian Games

World No. 2 badminton player Kulwutthichanon Vittitshan is fully committed to reaching the podium in men's singles at the 20th Asian Games in Japan in mid-September, after finishing outside the round of 16 at the previous Games. He will first compete in the 2026 World Badminton Championships in New Delhi, India, from August 17-23, where a total of 19 Thai athletes will participate. Kulwutthichanon has reached two World Championship finals (2023 and 2025) and won the title once in 2023. He will face world No. 91 Viren Nettasinghe of Sri Lanka in his opening match.

After the World Championships, Kulwutthichanon will represent Thailand at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, running September 19-October 4, 2025, with badminton competition scheduled for September 20-29. Seven gold medals will be awarded across five singles and doubles disciplines plus mixed doubles and team events. Thailand is sending 20 badminton athletes—10 men and 10 women.

Kulwutthichanon expressed his determination to finish in the top three, saying he wants to perform better than the previous Games where he was eliminated in the round of 16. He called for Thai fans to cheer for him and the entire national team across all sports.

Dr. Kongsak Yodmani, director of the Badminton Association of Thailand, acknowledged that competing at the Asian Games is nearly as competitive as the World Championships because most elite players are Asian. He expressed cautious optimism that Thailand can win one or two medals, with Kulwutthichanon in men's singles and Dechapol Puavaranukroh with Supissara Peupsaman in mixed doubles offering the best medal hopes. He noted that women's singles is particularly challenging due to strong competitors from South Korea, China, Japan, and Indonesia.