World No. 2 Badminton Star Reaches Asian Games Final
Thailand's world No. 2 badminton player Vue Gulwut Vittitisanth became the first Thai man to reach an Asian Games final, where he will face Singapore's Loh Kean Yew in pursuit of a historic medal.
Vue Gulwut Vittitisanth, Thailand's world No. 2 badminton player, has made history as the first Thai men's singles player to reach the Asian Games final, where he will face Singapore's Loh Kean Yew.
Following his semifinal victory, Vue expressed that the result far exceeded his expectations. Before this tournament, he felt his form was not good enough even to secure a medal, but now to have reached the final brings him great joy. He controlled the game well and managed the shuttlecock pace effectively. His opponent played too aggressively, which led to easy mistakes, allowing Vue to identify and exploit weaknesses. However, Vue acknowledged he still needs to improve his attacking game and stamina, as his speed and leg strength have diminished in recent matches and require recovery.
"Reaching an Asian Games final is like reaching an Olympic final," Vue said. "This kind of opportunity is not easy to come by. Moreover, badminton rules will change to a 15-point format in the future, which I must also adapt to. Nothing is guaranteed—I cannot be certain I will compete in the next Olympics or Asian Games. The final must be my absolute maximum effort. I want to play for my family and my country. I want to wear the shirt with the Thai flag and give my very best, showing my full potential and bringing joy to Thai sports fans."
Vue also thanked Thai fans for their support, saying he feels their encouragement constantly and will perform his best in the final. He also sent support to all Thais facing the current flooding crisis, appealing to the government for assistance.
When asked about senior badminton player May Rachanov, who announced her retirement from the Asian Games, Vue expressed belief that it may not be her final time. "I believe this won't be the last," he said. "Once she wins another championship, she might come back to play. I believe no athlete wants to miss such a sporting festival unless they truly reach retirement age. May still looks young to me."
