"Mew Pornpawee" is thrilled after winning her first medal at the 2026 World Badminton Championships before heading to the Asian Games.
"Mew" Pornpawee Chochuwong, the world No. 10 women's singles badminton player, has returned to Thailand after making history by winning the bronze medal at the 2026 World Badminton Championships in India for the first time. She expressed that her performance exceeded expectations. Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, warmly welcomed her and praised this achievement as a source of pride and a new chapter in Thai badminton history.
The recent BWF World Championships 2026 in New Delhi, India, concluded last Sunday. Thai badminton players performed impressively, especially "Mew" Pornpawee Chochuwong, world No. 10 in women's singles, who secured the bronze medal. This marked her first World Championship medal and made her the second Thai female singles player to win a World Championship medal after "May" Ratchanok Intanon, who won the title in 2013 and bronze in 2019.
On the morning of Monday, 24 Aug 2026, "Mew" Pornpawee Chochuwong and "Coach Top" Phakawat Wilailak arrived back in Thailand at Suvarnabhumi Airport via Thai Airways flight TG 316 at 5:25 a.m. Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand under royal patronage, was there to warmly welcome and congratulate them.
Pornpawee stated that her performance at this World Championship exceeded her expectations, having reached the semifinals and secured her first bronze medal. She sees this as an important starting point to elevate her game to compete with the world’s top 5 players.
Pornpawee spoke about the highlight match where she defeated Chen Yufei, world No. 4 from China, in the round of 16. She said, "Before the match, I kept it simple, knowing my opponent had advantages in many areas and I had lost many times before, winning only once. That day, I played relaxed, tried to bring out my best potential, and gave my all to secure the important victory."
Regarding her development direction, Mew said, "Going forward, I will focus mainly on maintaining my physical condition, as I have been dealing with injuries continuously. I plan to consult with my coach to analyze weaknesses and gradually improve my game step by step."
She also reflected on the current women’s singles competition, noting it is very intense. The top 5 players have playing styles and physical demands similar to men’s singles, increasing injury risks. She said it will be important to watch how the scoring system change to 15 points in 2027 will affect players’ physical condition.
Mew Pornpawee concluded, "This tournament boosted my confidence greatly, helping me understand how to play and handle top-level opponents more clearly. My next event will be the China Masters, a World Tour Super 750 tournament, held from 1-6 Sep 2026 in Shenzhen, China."
Pornpawee aims to maintain peak physical condition without injury and focus on performing well round by round before the major event at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from 19 Sep to 4 Oct 2026 in Nagoya-Aichi, Japan.
Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand under royal patronage, congratulated and praised "Mew" Pornpawee Chochuwong, "Coach Top" Phakawat Wilailak, and the coaching staff for their outstanding performance in winning the bronze medal at the 2026 World Badminton Championships. He said this achievement is a great honor and source of pride for both the athlete and Thailand, as the World Championships is the biggest stage bringing together the world’s top players.
Air Chief Marshal Monthon said, "Reaching the podium and winning a medal at the World Championships not only reflects the athlete's dedication, discipline, and mental strength, but also the strong cooperation of the coaching team, who played a crucial role in planning and maximizing the athlete’s potential. This bronze medal is a historic record that brings fame and pride to all Thai people."
"This success also confirms the potential and standards of Thai badminton, showing it can compete honorably with top nations globally. It serves as a vital inspiration for younger athletes to strive for continual self-improvement."
