“May” Ratchanok Intanon Announces Final Asian Games Appearance

Bangkok: "May" Ratchanok Intanon, a former world number one female badminton player, has declared that the 2026 Asian Games in Japan will mark her final appearance in the prestigious event, setting an ambitious goal to achieve 700 career match victories. According to Thai News Agency, the announcement was made during an event organized by the Badminton Association of Thailand, which showcased the preparedness of the Thai national badminton team for the upcoming 20th Asian Games and the 2026 World Junior Badminton Championships. The event was attended by prominent sports officials, including Paskorn Rangsiwattanasak, Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Sports and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Tourism and Sports; Yutthaya Chinheet, Director of Elite Sports Development at the Sports Authority of Thailand; and Air Chief Marshal Monthol Satchukorn, President of the Badminton Association of Thailand. The president of the Badminton Association of Thailand expressed confidence in the nation's prospects at t he Asian Games, highlighting the potential to secure at least one or two medals. In line with this optimism, "May" Ratchanok Intanon shared her readiness to compete and acknowledged that this tournament would be her last Asian Games, hoping to deliver a memorable performance for Thai sports fans. Intanon reflected on surpassing 600 career wins, noting her surprise at the achievement as she hadn't previously tracked her statistics. This milestone serves as a source of inspiration and motivation for her, as she aims to reach the 700-match victory mark before retiring from the sport.