Ratchanok Intanon: Thailand’s badminton icon and trailblazer
Ratchanok Intanon has progressed from a promising young athlete into Thailand’s leading women’s singles badminton star.
From her early junior days through her ascent on the world stage, the now 30-year-old made history in 2013 by becoming world champion at just 18 years old.
Her unique skills, memorable victories, and lasting impact on the sport continue to influence future generations of badminton athletes and beyond, solidifying her as a pivotal figure in the game’s history
Follow Intanon’s journey as a pioneer and role model for players worldwide.
Ratchanok Intanon’s early origins and how her promising career took off
Ratchanok Intanon was born on February 5, 1995, in Yasothon, Thailand, and began playing badminton at an early age.
She first played badminton on a court at a nearby sugar factory, marking the start of her journey.
Former Olympian Patapol Ngernsrisuk noticed Intanon’s potential early on, becoming her mentor and primary coach.
The first tournament she played was the Laos International series, which she attended at the age of 13, where she competed in both singles and doubles.
In the women’s singles final, Intanon lost to Vietnam’s Le Ngoc Nguyen Nhung.
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Intanon’s rise to prominence
Intanon won her first individual international title by ruling the Vietnam International Challenge when she was 14.
She would later become the youngest-ever world champion after winning the 2009 BWF World Junior Championships in Malaysia.
Intanon continued to progress, reaching the finals of both the 2009 Malaysia International Challenge and the Southeast Asian Games women’s singles, despite narrowly missing the titles.
At 15, Intanon successfully defended her title at the 2010 BWF World Junior Championships in Mexico, defeating Misaki Matsutomo in the final.
Intanon would later add multiple BWF (Badminton World Federation) Tour titles, including the 2022 Malaysia Open (Super 750), the 2024 Spain Masters (Super 300), and the 2025 Indonesia Masters (Super 500)..
RATCHANOK INTANON KEY CAREER SNAPSHOTS
Intanon’s signature style and strengths
Intanon is known for her artistic handwork, deceptive drops, and elegant net play throughout most of her career.
She blends technical precision with fluid movement, earning her admiration for her courtly grace.
Intanon’s technique is often compared to Tai Tzu Ying, as both display textbook shot-making abilities.
Her resilience is well-known; she staged an impressive comeback in the 2019 World Championships, saving match points against Gregoria Mariska Tunjung to advance.
RATCHANOK INTANON CAREER MILESTONES AND MAJOR TITLES
Intanon’s coaches and support team
Ratchanok Intanon credits former Olympian Patapol Ngernsrisuk as her first coach and the one who trained her at the Banthongyord Badminton School early in her career.
She has since added Chinese coach Xie Zhihua as another primary coach:
- Patapol Ngernsrisuk: Former Olympian and son of Kamala Thongkorn, founder of Banthongyord Badminton School. He focuses on Intanon’s medal game.
- Xie Zhihua: A Chinese coach credited with developing Intanon’s skills and supporting her during her World Championships stints. He has also coached Intanont at the Banthongyord Badminton School during her younger years.
Ratchanok Intanon’s highest and current ranking
Intanon reached the world No.1 ranking in the BWF women’s singles list in 2014, primarily after a string of success in her Superseries campaigns at the time.
She is currently ranked No. 10 in the BWF rankings as of August 2025.
China’s Wang Zhi Yi is the current No.1 followed by South Korea’s An Se-young, and emerging Thai star Pornpawee Chochuwong.
Despite Pornpawee’s emergence, Intanon remains relevant in the women’s singles circuit, consistently placing either in the top 20 or the top 10 over the past two years.
Intanon’s injury history and comebacks
Intanon has survived several injury setbacks in her career, ranging from ankle and heel issues that have slowed down her form.
She chose muscle-strengthening training instead of surgery to build her power around her ankle and support her playing style.
Intanon has displayed her resilience through several dramatic comebacks, including a back injury at the 2018 World Championships, where she still won a match despite a sprained ankle.
The 2025 Indonesia Masters was the best proof that Intanon had regained her top form, as evidenced by her win in the women’s singles title.
This title was her first major trophy since March 2024, underscoring her revitalized fitness and renewed confidence.
Intanon’s road to the 2028 LA Olympics
Intanon declared in 2024, after a deep run at the Hong Kong Open, that she plans to play “for two more years.”
Her mindset at the time was simply to stay healthy and enjoy the competitions, rather than chase major titles to ease the pressure on her goals.
Intanon’s immediate focus is on the 2026 Asian Games before she considers a shot at competing in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
As she progresses through this stage of her career, Intanon’s approach reflects more wisdom and realism, still aiming for strategic goals rather than forced ambitions.
Ratchanok Intanon’s legacy has more than secured
Ratchanok Intanon leaves a legacy defined by artistry, technical brilliance, and groundbreaking achievements.
As Thailand’s first female world champion and a trailblazer in badminton finesse, she continues to inspire a generation of players in her home country and around the world.
Fans often praise her “textbook” skills on platforms like Reddit, with many confident that Intanon’s influence will persist through mentorship and coaching after her career.
Her story embodies radiant elegance combined with grit from a factory-playground prodigy to world champion and graceful veteran.
As she moves forward into the twilight of her playing days, Intanon’s adaptability and grace make her journey timeless and lasting.
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