Sport
Ratchanok Intanon Announces Final Asian Games Appearance
Thai badminton star Ratchanok Intanon has confirmed that the upcoming Asian Games will be her last, while celebrating a historic 600-match career win milestone.
According to Khaosod Online Thailand, Thai badminton icon Ratchanok 'May' Intanon has announced that the upcoming Asian Games will be her final appearance in the tournament. The athlete, who recently recovered from an injury sustained during the World Championships, stated that she is currently focusing on regaining her peak physical fitness to represent the national team.
Reflecting on her career, Ratchanok noted that this will be her third Asian Games. She expressed her enthusiasm for returning to the squad and competing alongside younger teammates. Looking ahead, she confirmed that she does not intend to participate in the games four years from now, marking this event as her swan song for the competition.
In addition to this announcement, Ratchanok recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first women's singles badminton player in history to secure 600 professional match victories. While she admitted surprise at the statistic, she expressed pride in the achievement and has set a new personal goal of reaching 700 career wins. For residents and visitors in Thailand, this news highlights the final chapter of a legendary career for one of the nation's most celebrated athletes. While her participation in the upcoming games is confirmed, her long-term competitive schedule beyond this tournament remains to be seen as she shifts her focus toward future professional milestones.