Thailand's two-time world junior champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn finally laid his hands on the elusive Badminton Asia men's junior title when he destroyed China's hope Liu Liang 21-14, 21-13 in the final at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Complex in Suzhou, China on Sunday.
It was a gold Kunlavut was determined to add to the mixed team gold Thailand won with a 3-2 victory over top seeds Indonesia in the final. The two-gold haul by Thailand in Suzhou is the country's best in the Badminton Asia Junior Championships so far.
"No words can describe my joy and happiness in winning the men's singles gold. It makes up for my disappointments in the past two years," said the 18-year-old who plays for Banthongyord Badminton School in Bangkok.
Kunlavut could only win the bronze in 2017 and the silver in 2018 when the championships were held in Bintaro, Jakarta in Indonesia.
"Suzhou has been good to me, more so when I won a double. This win will also serve and motivate me well for the coming world junior championships in Russia (Kazan) later this year.
I want a hattrick in the world junior."
On his match in the men's singles final, Kunlavut said: "I played better today compared to my semifinal match when I made too many mistakes. I took an aggressive approach in the final."
"I was also highly motivated not to settle for anything less than the gold. It worked although my opponent had the support of the home fans."
Meanwhile, in the All-China women's singles final second seed Zhou Meng outplayed compatriot Han Qian Xi 21-12, 21-9 in only 30 minutes.
RESULTS (ALL FINALS)
Men's singles
Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha) beat Liu Liang (Chn) 21-14, 21-13
Women's singles
Zhou Meng (Chn) beat Han Qian Xi (Chn) 21-12, 21-9