Key Info
Name: Kunlavut Vitidsarn
Nickname: “View”
Born: 11 May 2001
Height: 1.77 m
Nationality: Thai
Known for: Thai badminton athlete
Instagram: @kunlavut.v
The 2024 Paris Olympic Match Highlights
On the 5th of August, 2024, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, affectionately known as “View,” etched his name into Thai sports history with a scintillating performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics. At just 23-years-old, View clinched the silver medal in the men’s singles category, an incredible achievement that marked Thailand’s first medal at this year’s Games. The nation rejoiced as their young badminton prodigy ascended the podium, basking in well-deserved glory.
The electrifying finals saw View lock horns with Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen, the reigning gold medalist from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The match, a gripping 52-minute duel, concluded with scores of 21-11 and 21-11. Despite the fierce competition, View stood tall, securing the silver and earning accolades from his countrymen who hailed his phenomenal performance.
Tracing back to his path to the finals, View’s journey was nothing short of spectacular. On the 3rd of August, he triumphed in the quarter-finals against China’s Shi Yuqi, the world’s top-ranked player. Securing an impressive 21-12 and 21-10 victory, View’s historic win ushered Thailand into the semi-finals for the first time in two decades. The following day, he vanquished Malaysia’s Lee Jii Zia in the semi-finals with scores of 21-14 and 21-15, setting the stage for his epic showdown with Viktor Axelsen.
Read more on the Olympic badminton finals
Early Life
Kunlavut “View” Vitidsarn was born on 11 May 2001, in the picturesque province of Chonburi, Thailand. His initiation into badminton began at the tender age of seven, spurred on by his father, Nattawat Vitidsarn, a dedicated badminton coach. Demonstrating prodigious skill early on, View’s love for the sport blossomed under the auspices of the Senanikhom Badminton Club, where he first honed his competitive edge in national youth and junior tournaments.
In 2014, at just 13 years old, View took a pivotal step in his budding career by joining the Banthongyord Badminton School. This move unlocked doors to both national and international competitions. His exceptional talent shone brightly, winning the Thailand Youth Badminton Championship in the under-14 category and amassing a treasure trove of national and international medals. Remarkably, he clinched gold medals in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 World Junior Championships, solidifying his status as a rising star in badminton.
Previous Career Records
View’s illustrious badminton career continued to flourish. At the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics, he won the silver medal in the mixed team category, showcasing his versatile prowess. His burgeoning talent was recognized when he received the Eddy Choong Most Promising Player of the Year award in both 2020 and 2021. The crescendo of his early career was marked by a gold medal victory at the 2021 SEA Games.
The following years bore witness to an impressive succession of victories. In 2022, View secured a silver medal at the World Championships, only to outdo himself in 2023 by capturing gold at the World Championships. This historic win saw him become Thailand’s first world badminton champion in men’s singles, triumphing over Japan’s Kodai Naraoka at the BWF World Championship in Denmark.
As of June 2023, View achieved a career-high ranking of world number 3, a testament to his incredible skill and determination. His career statistics are nothing short of astounding, with 373 wins and 133 losses, currently ranking 8th in the BWF World Championships standings.
View’s performance at the Olympics was incredible! Can’t believe he made it to the finals at just 23.
Absolutely! It’s a huge deal for Thai sports. He’s an inspiration to so many young athletes.
But let’s not forget Viktor Axelsen’s dominance in the sport. He’s still the one to beat!
True, but View’s rise is making waves globally. It’s exciting to see new talent challenge the status quo.
Viktor is amazing, no doubt, but View’s journey to the finals was epic. Remember his quarter-final against Shi Yuqi?
Yeah, that match! Beating the world’s top player with such ease was mind-blowing.
Honestly, badminton doesn’t get the recognition it deserves in the western world. View and Viktor’s matches should be more mainstream.
Agreed. These athletes train insanely hard and deserve the spotlight just like any other sport.
Exactly, football and basketball overshadow everything. Time for badminton to shine!
Imagine the potential endorsements and fans they could gain with more exposure.
Interesting how View started so young. Shows how early dedication pays off.
Starting at 7 and already winning international youth titles by 13? Phenomenal!
Really highlights the importance of good coaching and early support in sports.
Thailand must be over the moon. A silver medal at the Olympics is huge!
It’s a monumental achievement for the country. View is a national hero now.
So well deserved. His hard work and dedication clearly paid off.
Kinda disappointed he didn’t get gold though. Close, but not enough.
Give him credit for making it that far! Losing to the reigning champ isn’t exactly a failure.
Exactly. Silver at 23 in such a competitive sport is a phenomenal achievement.
He’s got a bright future. Who knows? He might clinch gold in the next Olympics.
His early achievements are so impressive. Winning the World Junior Championships three times? That’s rare!
It’s unheard of for many players. He’s definitely in a league of his own.
The mental toughness of these athletes always blows my mind. The pressure must be insane.
Mental strength is such an underrated aspect of sports. It separates good players from great ones.
Totally! And View’s composure on the court is commendable.
Loved watching the final. Badminton is so fast-paced and thrilling!
Inspiration for kids dreaming of going pro one day.
I’m a bit surprised he didn’t get the gold, but this silver will fuel his drive for the future.
It’s not just about winning medals but also about inspiring the next generation. View’s doing both!