Badminton ex-partners face lifetime ban after brawl
Two former badminton doubles partners were involved in a bizarre fight during the men's doubles final at the Canadian Open on Sunday - an act of misconduct that Badminton Association of Thailand president Charoen Wattanasin said could lead to lifetime ban
A clip on YouTube shows Bodin Issara chasing ex-partner Maneepong Jongjit during a changeover after the first game of the final at the Richmond Olympic Oval in Vancouver.
Bodin pushed Maneepong to the floor before landing a punch and a kick to the back of his passive ex-partner, before the pair were separated by coaches and tournament staff. Bodin and his new partner later allege the events captured on video were preceded by an attack on Bodin by Maneepong.
The clip can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IH_-33Ft3Hg.
Maneepong was teamed with Nipitphon Puangpuapech for the match, while Bodin was paired with Pakkawat Wilaikal.
According to the “Morning News” show on Channel 3, Maneepong said Bodin became infuriated when the former made a loud noise after winning a point during the match. The two reportedly provoked each other with vulgar language from that point on. Maneepong said Bodin challenged him to a fight several times during the first game, which was won by Maneepong and Nipitphon 21-12.
Bodin later attempted to clarify the incident and expressed regret that it occurred. “I was struck on the ear with a racquet [by Maneepong]. My ear was cut and it bled. I lost my senses. I feel sorry to have caused this stain on [Thailand’s] reputation. I take full responsibility and want this all to end here,” he said in a clip broadcast on Channel 3.
An initial investigation of the incident by tournament officials determined that Bodin started the fight. As a result, they awarded the title to Maneepong and Nipitphon.
However, according to Bodin’s partner Pakkawat, Maneepong started the whole thing by cursing his ex-partner, causing a fuming Bodin to land the first blow. He said Maneepong replied by hitting his former buddy with a racquet. According to the Vancouver Sun newspaper, Bodin needed two stitches to his right ear.
“If you [only] saw the clip, Bodin appears absolutely guilty. But no one saw what happened before that. Maneepong smashed Bodin with a racquet and left him bloody. That’s why [Bodin] chased after [Maneepong] as can be seen in the clip,” Pakkawat said.
Once a promising duo, Maneepong and Bodin shot to fame in the Kingdom after their sensational style of play took them to the quarter-finals at last year’s London Olympics. But they parted due to personal conflicts late last year.
Charoen said on Facebook he had never seen anything like this in his 58 years on the circuit. The badminton boss said he would await a report from the IBF, which will be used as a basis for action to be taken against the guilty parties.
“This is a shame for the badminton circuits. The International Badminton Federation will take this very seriously. From the clip, Bodin appears to be the guilty party and there’s a high possibility he could face a lifetime ban. However, to be fair to both parties, we’ll have to wait to hear from the IBF.”
Meanwhile, there was some good news for Thai fans as top seed Nichaon Jindapon won the women’s singles, defeating Hong Kong’s Pui Yin Yip 21-18 21-16.
