Source:REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa
[Saba Sports News] Thailand’s former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn has confirmed he will not participate in the individual badminton events at the 2025 SEA Games held in Thailand this week. This development enhances Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao’s prospects for a gold medal. According to the Bangkok Post, the world-ranked third Kunlavut is currently in recovery after undergoing wisdom tooth surgery and has not yet reached optimal condition. To ensure he competes at his best in the BWF World Tour Finals scheduled from December 17 to 21 in Hangzhou, China, he has decided to only represent Thailand in the men’s team event, foregoing the individual competitions.Kunlavut’s absence increases the chances of world-ranked 29 Leong Jun Hao, making him one of the main contenders for the men’s singles gold medal at the Bangkok tournament. However, Leong will also face challenges from Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew, ranked 10th in the world, and Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, ranked 17th. Besides Leong, Malaysia is also sending Hoh Justin, ranked 38th, to compete in the men’s singles. Malaysia last won the gold medal in men’s singles badminton at the SEA Games when Lee Zii Jia triumphed at the 2019 Manila SEA Games, while Leong Jun Hao secured a bronze medal in the men’s singles at the previous 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia.