Exclusive: Sujitra Ekamonkolpaisals Journey to SEA Games Gold Began with Badminton in Front of the House

Sujitra Ekamonkolpaisal, former Thai national badminton player known for winning two SEA Games gold medals (women's singles in 2001 in Malaysia and women's team event in 2005 in the Philippines), revealed her journey from modest beginnings to becoming one of the legends in Thai badminton.

Q: The origin of your bond with badminton

This former national player's path did not start at a famous badminton school but from family connections.

“My badminton journey began with my father, who played for exercise. He took me and my younger brother to play. I was about 10 or 11 years old. That was the first time he brought me to play.”

Soon after, she dedicated herself fully to badminton, starting serious training in her late 11th year, with her father as her first coach. Her passion grew because badminton required not just strength but also strategy.

“Once I started playing badminton, I realized every shot involved thinking—where to direct my opponent, how to respond to their moves... It felt challenging and fun.”

Q: When defeat becomes motivation

Though starting later than many peers, Sujitra's determination never wavered. Early in competitions, she often faced defeat but saw it as an opportunity to grow.

“When I lost, I didn't feel sad. I just knew I was at the beginning and needed more time to practice. I wanted to work harder and believed I could compete. Losing was still fun and made me want to come back stronger.”

Her inspiration to become a professional athlete sparked when her father took her to watch world-class matches, planting the dream of joining the national team.

“Seeing national team players and skilled international athletes compete made me dream of being there someday, playing on that stage. It pushed me to strive to reach that level.”

Q: Key experiences with the Thai national team

Being selected for the Thai national team at about 14-15 years old opened a new world for her. Training alongside skilled seniors taught her professionalism.

“It was like opening a new door. Training with seniors, seeing how they ran, skipped rope, and prepared—it was a vital experience for a young player to absorb, even without direct teaching.”

Her first SEA Games achievement in Chiang Mai was winning bronze medals in the team and mixed doubles events, a crucial step toward aiming for gold.

Q: A moment of pride

Her efforts culminated in winning the women's singles gold at the 2001 SEA Games in Malaysia, overcoming strong opponents like Indonesia.

“At that moment, I was singing the Thai national anthem in a foreign country. Not everyone gets to do that. It was deeply moving and very happy. Taking the SEA Games gold from Indonesia was incredible—an unforgettable moment.”

Q: Managing pressure and family support

A key to coping with competition pressure was her effort to relax and stay focused on herself.

“I kept telling myself to relax and concentrate on each shot, thinking about training moments to ease the competition atmosphere. Otherwise, it would be too nerve-wracking.”

Her family, especially her parents, were her steadfast supporters, managing off-court matters and never pressuring her.

“My parents and brother were a great backup, helping with transportation and rest. They would say, ‘Take a break, then fight again.’”

She also shared advice for current athletes’ parents.

“I would tell parents to be supportive because athletes already face a lot of pressure and fatigue. If they see calm support from behind, they can perform better on the court.”

Q: Message to future athletes

Sujitra views the SEA Games as an important platform for new athletes aiming for higher levels.

“The SEA Games are a stepping stone and a crucial match. It helps us climb toward bigger Asian levels or the world stage, like the Olympic Games.”

As a former athlete turned sports commentator, she also encourages the current Thai national athletes.

“I want to tell them to play for fun and enjoy the game without putting too much pressure on themselves. If they do their best, good things will follow.”