Kunlavut advances after dramatic three-game Asian Games clash

NAGOYA, Japan — 27 September 2026, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn booked his place in the men’s singles semifinals at the 20th Asian Games after overcoming Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long in a tense three-game quarterfinal on Saturday.

World No. 2 Kunlavut, the last Thai badminton player remaining at the Games, came from behind to beat Ng 16-21, 21-10, 21-13 at Ichinomiya City Gymnasium in Nagoya.

The match featured several disputed line calls, with no video challenge system available. Tensions peaked near the end of the deciding game when a line judge ruled a shot by Ng out on a crucial match point.

Kunlavut eventually secured the point and sealed the victory. He then threw his racket in celebration, appearing to release the tension after the dramatic finish.

The victory sent Kunlavut into the semifinals, where he will face Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan, who defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen in the quarterfinals.

Kunlavut is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal at the Asian Games.