Kunlavut’s high, Pitchamon’s low

Thailand’s badminton camp found light amid the gloom on Monday as former world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn swept into the men’s singles final in Nagoya, making history as the first Thai to do so, on the same day the B sample of teenage teammate Pitchamon Opatniputh confirmed her positive test for a banned substance.

The 25-year-old delivered another stellar performance as he defeated Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan 21-13, 21-15 in the semi-finals at the Ichinomiya City Gymnasium to progress to the final.

The two players had faced each other four times before Monday’s encounter in Nagoya, with Kunlavut winning all of them. In their most recent meeting, Kunlavut defeated Farhan in the quarter-finals of the 2026 All England Open in Birmingham in March.

Kunlavut showed his superiority again at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 on Monday as he wrapped up the victory in 49 minutes to book his berth in the gold medal match.

He will face Singapore’s world No.13 Loh Kean Yew, who edged past Yoo Tae-Bin of South Korea 21-19, 19-21, 21-12 in the other semi-final, in the gold medal match on Tuesday.

Prior to Aichi-Nagoya 2026, an Asian Games medal was the only major honour missing from Kunlavut’s trophy cabinet, which includes Olympic, World Championships, Asian Championships and Southeast Asian Games medals.

Meanwhile, the B sample of Pitchamon confirmed a positive result for a banned substance, said Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul on Monday.

Pitchamon became the first confirmed doping case at the Asian Games on Sept 21 after returning a positive test for furosemide, a substance that can be used to lose water for rapid ‌weight loss.

The 19-year-old former world junior champion in women’s singles underwent an out-of-competition test on Sept 17 and was subsequently banned from the Games.

Surasak said the situation might have stemmed from the athlete being unaware of the ingredients in the products she used. Nevertheless, Pitchamon must proceed with a formal appeal to clarify the facts and contest the disciplinary proceedings.

With the B sample confirming the positive result, attention now turns to the penalty to be imposed by the relevant authorities. Pitchamon can lodge a formal appeal after the sanction has been announced.

Arch-foes face off for title

It will be Thailand v Malaysia again in the sepak takraw gold medal contest after both teams won their respective men’s single regu semi-finals on Monday.

Thailand defeated Vietnam 2-0 (15-7, 15-6) while Malaysia rallied to beat the Philippines 2-1 (10-15, 15-11, 15-7).

Thailand will be gunning for revenge after the seven-time defending Asian Games champions lost to their eternal rivals Malaysia 2-0 in the final of the men’s regu team final last Friday.

It was Malaysia’s first gold medal in the men’s regu team event in 36 years.

Thai sepak takraw players celebrate a point during the semi-final match against Vietnam. TAKRAW ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND

Meanwhile, Subenrat Insaeng continued the remarkable performance for the Thai athletics team in Nagoya as she added a bronze to their medal haul.

The 32-year-old recorded a 61.43m attempt — her season best — to finish in third place in the women’s discus throw event at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium on Monday.

It was the fourth medal for the athletics team at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 following sprinter Puripol Boonson’s 100m and 200m golden double and Joshua Atkinson’s 400m triumph.

Feng Bin (63.83) and Jiang Zhichao (62.25) led a one-two finish for China.

Also, the 4x100m relay mixed team stormed into the final after recording 41.48sec to win heat 1 on Monday. The final will take place on Tuesday.

Subenrat Insaeng competes during the women’s discus throw final. REUTERS

Bronze for table tennis duo

Table tennis stars Suthasini Sawettabut and Orawan Paranang added a bronze to the Thai medal tally on Monday.

The duo edged past Shin Yu-Bin and Joo Cheon-Hui of South Korea 3-2 to reach the women’s doubles semi-finals and assure themselves of at least a bronze medal on Saturday.

Facing China’s Kuai Man and Wang Manyu in the semi-finals proved too much for the Thai duo as they went down in a 4-0 (11-6, 11-8, 11-5, 11-6) loss and had to settle for a third-place finish.

In tennis, men’s singles hope Maximus Jones cruised past Zolbadar Urnukh of Mongolia 6-0, 6-0 in the second round match, while Anchisa Chanta and Peangtarn Plipuech dominated Saiyora Rajabalieva and Anastasiya Tursunova of Tajikistan 6-0, 6-0 in the women’s doubles first round.

Meanwhile, the men’s volleyball team lost to Iran 3-0 (25-18, 25-18, 25-15) in the second Pool B match on Monday. They will need to beat winless Kyrgyzstan on Tuesday to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Coach backs young guns

The men’s football team returned to Thailand on Sunday night after their Asian Games campaign ended in a 3-0 quarter-final defeat by China.

Thailand’s Asian Games coach Thawatchai Damrong-ongtrakul said: “It was a pity. I wanted to help the team go as deep as possible, at the very least to the semi-finals, but we simply could not withstand the strength of the Chinese side. In this tournament we were in the same group as Japan, the Asian U23 champions, which was really good for us, facing top teams like Japan and China.

“We beat Kyrgyzstan and Hong Kong, which showed the players’ determination. We went behind in both games but fought back to win and eventually reached the knockout stage.

“For many players, this will be their last tournament as young players. I want them to know that the national team is still waiting for them. I want every player to show their best with their clubs, and I believe the national coach will be watching everyone. Take care of yourselves and give your best,” said Thawatchai.