Just last month, Thai mixed doubles duo Sapsiree Taerattanachai and Dechapol Puavaranukroh won back to back to back gold medals. They won at the Yonex Thailand Open, then the Toyota Thailand Open and then finally the HSBC BWF World Tour finals. They were unstoppable and they were showed what it was to be ‘THE BEST OF ASIA’.
Sapsiree first began playing badminton at just 9 years old, and played with her family. She made her first international debut at the ‘Smiling Fish International series’. Dechapol started at 7 years old and also played with his family before becoming professional. Both their paths were similar to each other as his international debut was also at the Smiling Fish International series.
Both Sapsiree and Dechapol have had different partners throughout their professional careers. For Sapsiree, early in her career she was partnered with Rodjana Chuthabunditkul. In 2009, both of them won the bronze medal at the BWF World Junior Championships and the Asian Junior Championships. She’s also been paired with Puttita Supajirakul in the women’s doubles. They’ve had successes over the years, including winning the gold at the 2016 Thailand Open.
Dechapol has been paired with Kittinupong Kedren. Together, they were the gold medalist at the 2014 BWF World Junior Championships in the boys' doubles event. They also won gold at the 2017 Southeast Asian Games. Like Sapsiree, he was also partnered with Puttita Supajirakul and together, they won the silver medal at the 2018 Thailand Masters.
Both both of their greatest accomplishments have been together as a mixed doubles team. Ever since they’ve been paired up with each other, they have continuously proven themselves and won medals again and again and again. The amazing thing is that they’ve accomplished so much so fast.
In 2019 alone, they won gold at the Singapore, Korea and Macau Open. Last year, they won silver at the historic All England Open. And just last month, they won 3 out of 3 gold medals at the mixed doubles event in their home land. A very proud achievement for the two of them. This year, they will surely continue to reach greater heights. We can’t wait to see what more they can do as a pair.