Ratchanok powers up for world top-3 mission

Ratchanok Inthanon, second left, poses with Singha Corp vice president Rangsarit Luxitanonda, third right, and Ban Thong Yord Badminton Academy manager Kamala Thongkorn.

World No 5 Ratchanok Inthanon has reset her sights for 2013, aiming to break into the world top three by the end of the year.

The 18-year-old's fulfilled her initial goal with a Super Series win in New Delhi two weeks ago that catapulted her to a career high No 5. But now she has recalibrated her ambitions, with the world top 3 the first target before she launches an assault on the world No 1 spot.

"I had hoped to finish the year in the top five, but I have already made it. So the next goal is to be in the top 3," said the three-time World Junior champion.

Ratchanok said her training programme at the Ban Thong Yord Badminton Academy under the supervision of manager Kamala Thongkorn had been intensified in a bid to strengthen her muscles for the new challenges she had set herself.

"Recently I have been focusing on the proper breathing technique as well as weight training that should cut down my injuries. I have also been working on mental conditioning because I have a tendency to make mistakes on crucial points or when I get a big lead. It's something I have to fix," said Ratchanok, who has three coaches - technical advisor Pattharapol Ngernsrisuk, fitness coach Xie Zhi Hua, and all-rounder Liu Ying Gang.

Ratchanok, the second Thai after Charoen Wattanasil in 1960 to reach the final at the All England Championships, will next play in the World Mixed Team Sudirman Cup in Kuala Lumpur on May 19, where Thailand face Hong Kong on their opening tie in Group B, which also features South Korea. She will then prepare for the Thailand Open in early June, before entering two events, in Indonesia and Singapore.

Meanwhile, her Ban Thong Yord traning academy has announced a multimillion-baht sponsorship deal with Boonrawd Brewery in a project to produce the first world No 1 from Thailand. Rangsarit Luxitanonda vice president of Singha Corp, said his company believed in the potential of the private academy.

"Our financial support will be used to give our young badminton players experience in international tournaments," said Rangsarit.

The academy currently boasts four national players, with Ratchanok, doubles specialists Sudket Prapakamol, Songphon Anugritayawon, and 2010 World Youth Olympics gold medallist Pisit Poodchalat.

A dozen of young players, including Ratchanok and 2012 Thailand Open doubles champion Narissapat Lam, are part of the academy's programme. Kamala, also owner of the academy, expects two youngsters at the facility - 14-year-old Pracharapol Nipornram and 12-year-old Pattharasuda Chaiyawan - to follow Ratchanok onto the world stage.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/05/14/ratchanok-powers-up-for-world-top-3-mission/