Ratchanok Intanon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ratchanok Intanon
Personal information
Nickname(s)	May
Born	(1995-02-05) 5 February 1995 (age 30) Yasothon, Thailand
Residence	Bangkok, Thailand
Height	1.69 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight	58 kg (128 lb)
Country	Thailand
Handedness	Right
Women's singles
Highest Ranking	1 (21 April 2016)
Current Ranking	10 (8 July 2025)
Medal record Women's badminton Representing  Thailand World Championships Gold 2013 Guangzhou Women's singles Bronze 2019 Basel Women's singles Sudirman Cup Bronze 2013 Kuala Lumpur Mixed team Bronze 2017 Gold Coast Mixed team Bronze 2019 Nanning Mixed team Uber Cup Silver 2018 Bangkok Women's team Bronze 2012 Wuhan Women's team Bronze 2020 Aarhus Women's team Bronze 2022 Bangkok Women's team Asian Games Silver 2010 Guangzhou Women's team Bronze 2018 Jakarta–Palembang Women's team Asian Championships Gold 2015 Wuhan Women's singles Asia Team Championships Bronze 2016 Hyderabad Women's team SEA Games Gold 2011 Jakarta–Palembang Women's team Gold 2015 Singapore Women's team Gold 2019 Philippines Women's team Silver 2009 Vientiane Women's singles Bronze 2009 Vientiane Women's team Bronze 2011 Jakarta–Palembang Women's singles World Junior Championships Gold 2009 Alor Setar Girls' singles Gold 2010 Guadalajara Girls' singles Gold 2011 Taipei Girls' singles Bronze 2009 Alor Setar Mixed team Asian Junior Championships Bronze 2009 Kuala Lumpur Mixed team Bronze 2010 Kuala Lumpur Girls' doubles Bronze 2010 Kuala Lumpur Mixed team

Ratchanok Intanon (born February 5, 1995) is a famous Thai badminton player. She made history by becoming the first Thai player to reach the number one spot in women's singles badminton. People often describe her playing style as very smooth and graceful. She became a world champion in women's singles in 2013.

Ratchanok's Amazing Career

Early Years: 2008–2010

Ratchanok started playing internationally at just 13 years old in 2008. Her first big win was in 2009 at the Vietnam International Challenge. She was only 14! That same year, she became the youngest champion ever at the BWF World Junior Championships in Malaysia. She beat another Thai player, Porntip Buranaprasertsuk, to win this title.

In 2010, at 15, she won the 2010 BWF World Junior Championships again, defending her title. She also won two Grand Prix tournaments: the Vietnam Open and the Indonesia Grand Prix Gold. At the 2010 Asian Games, she helped her team win a silver medal.

Rising Star: 2011–2012

In 2011, Ratchanok won her third straight BWF World Junior Championships title. This made her the most successful player ever in individual events at the junior championships. She also won the India Open Grand Prix Gold. She was part of the Thai women's team that won gold at the 2011 SEA Games.

In 2012, at 16, she was named the Best Female Athlete in Thailand. She reached the finals of the Thailand Open and her first Superseries final at the China Open. She ended 2012 as the world number 9 player.

Becoming a World Champion: 2013

In 2013, Ratchanok reached the finals of the famous All England Open. She was the youngest singles finalist ever at this event. She then won her first Superseries tournament, the India Open. She also won the Thailand Open, becoming the first Thai woman to win this title.

The biggest moment of 2013 was at the World Championships. She beat the world number 1 and Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui in the final. This made her the first Thai player to be a World Champion. She was also the youngest singles World Champion ever at 18 years old. She finished 2013 as the world number three.

Continued Success: 2014–2017

In 2014, Ratchanok reached the finals of the Korea Open and the Indonesia Open. She was also named "Best Asian Sporting Icon" by Fox Sports Asia.

In 2015, she became the first Thai singles player to win the Asia Championships. She also won her first Superseries Premier title at the Indonesia Open. She helped the Thailand women's team win a gold medal at the 2015 SEA Games.

The year 2016 was amazing for Ratchanok. She won the Thailand Masters, the India Open, the Malaysia Open, and the Singapore Super Series. Winning three Superseries in a row was a huge achievement! This incredible streak helped her become the world number 1, another first for a Thai player.

In 2017, Ratchanok won the Thailand Open and the New Zealand Open. She also won the Denmark Open, dedicating her win to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Recent Years: 2018–Present

In 2018, Ratchanok won the Malaysia Masters. She reached the finals of the Hong Kong Open. She also made it to the semi-finals of the BWF World Tour Finals.

Ratchanok at the 2019 German Open

In 2019, she defended her title at the Malaysia Masters. She also won her third India Open title. At the Basel World Championship, she won a bronze medal. In April 2019, Ratchanok faced a challenge when a test showed an unusual result. However, badminton officials confirmed that she was not at fault. They found that the issue was caused by eating meat that had a tiny amount of a certain substance. Because she was not to blame, she was allowed to continue playing without any break.

Her first title of 2020 was the Indonesia Masters. In September 2023, Ratchanok had to withdraw from the Asian Games due to an ankle injury. After a three-month break, she returned to play in January 2024. She won the Spain Masters in March 2024. Ratchanok competed in her fourth Olympics at the 2024 Paris Games, reaching the quarter-finals. She also finished as a finalist at the 2024 Arctic Open in October. As of July 2025, she is ranked 10th in the world.

Amazing Records Ratchanok Holds

• Youngest ever singles champion at the BWF World Championships (2013, at 18 years old).
• Youngest ever champion of the BWF World Junior Championships (2009, at 14 years old).
• First player to win three times in a row at the BWF World Junior Championships (2009, 2010, 2011).
• Youngest ever singles finalist at the All England Open Badminton Championships (2013, at 18 years old).
• First singles player to win three Superseries titles in three weeks in a row.
• First Thai badminton player ever to be ranked world number 1.

Personal Life and Background

Ratchanok Intanon was born in Yasothon Province in Thailand. When she was just three months old, her family moved to Bangkok. Her parents worked at a sweets factory called Banthongyord.

When Ratchanok was a child, she would go to work with her parents. The factory owner, Kamala Thongkorn, was worried about Ratchanok getting hurt near the hot sugar. So, she let Ratchanok play on the factory's badminton courts. Ratchanok started playing badminton at six years old and won her first championship at seven.

Ratchanok used her prize money and earnings to help her family. Her father was able to open a food shop with her support. She once said, "I wanted to be a national player... because that was the only way I could help my parents to improve our status and leave poverty."

She trains at the Banthongyord Badminton School. Her coach is Patapol Ngernsrisuk, who is a former Olympian and the son of Kamala Thongkorn, the factory owner who first let Ratchanok play badminton. After the 2024 Olympics, Ratchanok began working full-time for the Central Police Station as a detective.

Awards and Honors

Ratchanok has received many awards for her achievements:

Images for kids

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  Ratchanok Intanon playing badminton.

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  Ratchanok Intanon at the 2019 German Open.

See also

In Spanish: Ratchanok Intanon para niños