Kunlavut wins in two games to reach historic Asian Games final on Sept 28
Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn secures at least silver after beating Alwi Farhan and will contest the Asian Games badminton final on September 29.
- Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated Indonesia's Alwi Farhan in two straight games (21-13, 21-15) to reach the Asian Games men's singles final.
- This victory makes him the first men's singles badminton finalist from Thailand in the history of the Asian Games.
- By reaching the final, Kunlavut has guaranteed at least a silver medal, surpassing Thailand's previous best result of a bronze in 1970.
- He will compete for the gold medal on September 29 against the winner of the other semi-final between Singapore's Loh Kean Yew and South Korea's Yoo Tae Bin.
Thailand’s Kunlavut “View” Vitidsarn became the country’s first men’s singles badminton finalist at the Asian Games on Monday (September 28, 2026), defeating Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan in straight games in Japan.
Kunlavut’s victory at Ichinomiya City Gymnasium guaranteed at least a silver medal for Thailand’s badminton team at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
Kunlavut controls semi-final against Farhan
World No 2 Kunlavut dictated the tempo and was more clinical in attack against world No 10 Farhan, taking the opening game 21-13 before winning the second 21-15 to complete a 2–0 victory.
Kunlavut had needed three games to overcome an opponent from Hong Kong in the previous round, winning 2–1 to reach the semi-finals.
Kunlavut’s historic final appearance comes 56 years after Sangob Rattanusorn won men’s singles bronze at the 1970 Asian Games. The guaranteed silver takes Kunlavut beyond that bronze-medal achievement.
Kunlavut awaits Loh or Yoo in September 29 final
Kunlavut will contest the gold medal against the winner of the other semi-final between Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew and South Korea’s Yoo Tae Bin.
Kunlavut’s final is scheduled for Tuesday (September 29), with play listed from 3pm Thai time.
