PUBLISHED: 5 Aug 2024 at 22:05
Thai badminton player Kunlavut Vitidsarn made history by securing the first silver medal for Thailand at the 2024 Olympics. He faced off against Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in a gripping final, ultimately losing 11-21, 11-21.
The first set was highly competitive, with both players trading points. Viktor, known for his exceptional serving routine, began to pull ahead after Kunlavut reached five points.
Viktor took control, leading 13-6 with precision shots that cornered Kunlavut. Despite some impressive smashes from the Thai player, he only managed to narrow the score to 7-15 before Viktor claimed the set 21-11 with a strategic shot that landed just over the net.
In the critical second set, Kunlavut needed a victory to stay in the match. However, Viktor opened with the first point and continued to build his lead, reaching 6-2 amidst tight exchanges.
Viktor’s dominance became evident as he effectively neutralized Kunlavut’s attempts to gain ground. The scoreboard reflected Viktor’s skill, as he led 14-3 at one point.
Despite a late push from Kunlavut, where he scored a series of impressive points to bring the score to 11-19, Viktor maintained his composure and sealed the gold medal with a final score of 21-11 in a match that lasted one hour.
