Ratchanok Leads Thai Challenge in New Grand Prix Gold
World No 5 Ratchanok Intanon will spearhead the Thai challenge into the inaugural Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters with several national players eyeing on producing brilliant results in the hunt for their slots into the up-coming Olympics.
Ratchanok will be seeded second behind world No 2 Saina Nehwal of India in the World Grand Prix Gold event due at the Nimibutr National Stadium between February 9-14. For the first time the country will host two Grand Prix Gold series in a single calendar year, with the Thailand Open scheduled in October.
"It's the badminton association of Thailand policy to stage as many international tournaments as possible. From now on we hope to stage bigger events such as Super Series, Super Series Premier or even the World Championships'" said badminton boss Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul.
While the country’s ace Ratchanok is guaranteed with a spot into the Rio de Janiero Olympics in August, there is still uncertainty for other compatriots who must produce good results between now and May to climb up the rankings before the cut-off.
"At this stage we have Ratchanok who is automatically eligible for Brazil as she is in the top 16 in the world. Others still have their shots but they will have a tough work to achieve," Pattama said.
The other strong candidate in the women’s category for Thailand are Busanan Ongbumrungphan world No 19 and world No 24 Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, each must reach the top 16 to secure their spot for the Olympiad.
In the men’s category, either the 28 th ranked Boonsak Ponsana or the 37 th ranked Tanongsak Saensomboonsook will have a chance.
For women's doubles Puittita Supajirakul and Sapsiree Taerattanachai, ranked No 21 and Jongkolphan Kittiharakul and Rawinda Prajongjai, No 23 are still in the running to making a trip to Brazil, as so for
Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Kittinupong Kerden , No 31 in the men's doubles.
Former world mixed doubles No 1 Sudket Prapakamol and Saralee Thoungthongkam, currently at No 33, have a slim chance to make another trip to the Games.
While Newal is the top seed in the Princess Cup, the men’s actions will feature Son Wan Ho and Lee Hyun Il of South Korea, the world No 12 and 19 as the top two seeds while Boonsak and Tanongsak are not seeded in the event.
