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	13 (21 January 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 5 February 1995) is a famous Thai badminton player. She made history by becoming the first Thai woman to reach the world number one ranking in women's singles badminton. People often describe her playing style as 'balletic' because of her smooth movements and light footwork. In 2013, she became the world champion in women's singles.

Ratchanok Intanon's Amazing Badminton Journey

Early Career and Junior Success (2008–2012)

Ratchanok Intanon started playing in international tournaments when she was just 13 years old in 2008. At 14, she won her first international title at the Vietnam International Challenge. She also became the youngest-ever champion at the 2009 BWF World Junior Championships in Malaysia.

In 2010, at age 15, she won the World Junior Championships again. She also won two Grand Prix tournaments: the Vietnam Open and the Indonesia Grand Prix Gold. She earned a silver medal with the Thai women's team at the 2010 Asian Games.

Ratchanok continued her success in 2011, winning the World Junior Championships for the third time in a row! This made her the most successful player ever in individual events at the BWF World Junior Championships. She also won the India Open Grand Prix Gold and a gold medal with the women's team at the 2011 SEA Games.

In 2012, at 16, she was named the Best Female Athlete in Thailand. She reached the quarter-finals of the 2012 Olympic Games. She also made it to her first Superseries final at the China Open. She ended 2012 as world number 9.

Becoming a World Champion (2013)

The year 2013 was a huge one for Ratchanok. She reached the final of the All England Open, becoming the youngest singles finalist ever at this famous tournament. She then won her first Superseries title at the India Open, making her the youngest Superseries winner at just 18 years old. She also won the Thailand Open, becoming the first Thai woman to win this title.

The biggest moment came at the World Championships in August. She won the title, beating the world number 1 and Olympic gold medalist Li Xuerui. This made Ratchanok the first Thai player to become a World Champion and the youngest singles World Champion ever at 18!

Continuing Success and World Number One (2014–2017)

In 2014, Ratchanok was 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 and a gold medal with the Thai women's team at the 2015 SEA Games.

The year 2016 was another incredible year. Ratchanok won the Thailand Masters, the India Open, the Malaysia Open, and the Singapore Super Series. By winning three Superseries tournaments in a row, she became the first Thai player to reach the world number 1 ranking! She was also the flag bearer for Thailand at the 2016 Summer Olympics.

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

Recent Achievements (2018–Present)

In 2018, Ratchanok won the Malaysia Masters. She continued her winning streak at the Malaysia Masters in 2019, defending her title. She also won her third India Open title. At the 2019 World Championship, she earned a bronze medal.

In 2020, Ratchanok won the Indonesia Masters. In 2022, she won the Malaysia Open. She faced an ankle injury in 2023, which caused her to withdraw from some tournaments. However, she returned in 2024, winning the Spain Masters and competing in her fourth Olympics in Paris. She also reached the final of the Arctic Open.

Amazing Records Held by Ratchanok

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

Personal Life and Inspiration

Ratchanok Intanon was born in Yasothon Province, Thailand. When she was very young, her parents worked at a sweets factory in Bangkok. To keep her safe from the hot sugar and boiling water, the factory owner, Kamala Thongkorn, let Ratchanok play on the factory's badminton courts. This is how she started playing badminton at age six and won her first championship at seven!

Ratchanok has used her prize money to help her family. Her father even opened 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, which is owned by Kamala Thongkorn. Her coach is Patapol Ngernsrisuk, who is Kamala's son and a former Olympian.

Ratchanok plans to retire from professional badminton after the 2024 Olympics to work full-time as a detective for the Central Police Station.

Images for kids

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  Ratchanok at the 2019 German Open

See also

In Spanish: Ratchanok Intanon para niños