The familiar celebration move of “Ikkyo” Panitchaphon Theeraratskul showcased his ongoing strong form as he defeated his Indonesian opponent to advance to the Thailand Masters badminton semifinals.
On 30 Jan 2026, the World Tour Super 300 badminton event “Princess Sirivannavari Thailand Masters 2026” took place at Nimibutr Arena, offering total prize money exceeding 8.5 million baht. The tournament reached the quarterfinal stage (top 8), with the men's singles category being a key highlight.
“Ikkyo” Panitchaphon Theeraratskul, ranked 36th in the world, faced Indonesia's Pradiska Bagas Kusuma, ranked 48th globally.
In the first game, Ikkyo was trailing 12-17 but then scored nine consecutive points to come from behind and win 21-17, taking a 1-0 lead.
The second game was closely contested, but Ikkyo demonstrated sharpness and better game control at critical moments, securing a satisfying 21-17 victory for the fans.
This victory propelled “Ikkyo” into the semifinals, where he will await world No. 69 Ju Xuan Chen of China, competing for a place in the final.