The young Thai star shone brightly at the 2025 Badminton Asia Championships, claiming the men’s singles title in Ningbo, China, on April 13. This victory didn’t just secure him a gold medal – it launched him into the global spotlight! Kunlavut is now officially ranked World No.2 in the latest Badminton World Federation rankings, becoming the first Thai men’s singles player in history to achieve this milestone.
You might already know Kunlavut from his incredible run at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he became the first Thai man to win an Olympic badminton medal, taking home the silver. But he’s not stopping there. His latest win earned him a hefty 12,000 ranking points, raising his total to an impressive 89,138. This leap pushed him past badminton icons Viktor Axelsen and Anders Antonsen, placing him just behind World No.1 Shi Yuqi of China, who leads with 99,435 points.
This victory firmly establishes Kunlavut as the highest-ranked Thai men’s singles player in history. However, his journey doesn’t end here – he’s certainly in the running for the top spot. With upcoming tournaments, the World No.1 title could soon be within his grasp.