Ratchanok will not participate in Malaysia SEA Games

Ratchanok Intanon who became world women's badminton singles champion in 2013 has decided not to participate in the Malaysia Sea Games this year.

"I will go for the World Championships," she told Bernama on the sidelines of the OUE Singapore Open 2017 pre-event press conference held here today.

The defending champion of OUE Singapore Open 2016 has no second thoughts choosing the world championships which will be held for seven days, beginning Aug 21 at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, Scotland.

Not that the date of both games is clashing but the 22-year-old player from Thailand is eager to retain the title which she won four years ago in Guangzhou, China.

Malaysia will host the SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur from Aug 19 to Aug 31 this year.

In the 2009 edition of the Sea Games, Ratchanok lost to her compatriot, Salakjit Ponsana.

On her advice to Southeast Asian female players, Ratchanok said via an interpreter: "Have determination and be focused."

The youngest ever champion of the BWF World Junior Championships in 2009 at age 14 is dubbed one of the most succesful female players from this region.

Ratchanok openly shared her secret that she learnt most of her opponents' skills from the YouTube.

"I have to change my style in most of my games," she said, adding that she was 99 per cent ready to defend her title for this year's OUE Singapore Open which will be held for six days from April 11 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. -- Bernama