Brawl batters Thailand’s image as world body opens disciplinary hearing into ex-doubles duo

CP24311188
Bodin Issara, right, and Maneepong Jongjit, of Thailand, react after winning against the second seeded pair of Yoo Yeon Seong and Ko Sung Hyun of South Korea during the Men\'s Doubles final at the Yonex Sunrise India Open 2012 tournament in New Delhi, India, on April 29, 2012. A fight broke out between two former badminton doubles partners from Thailand at the Canada Open over the weekend, prompting the Badminton World Federation to launch an investigation. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - Saurabh Das

BANGKOK – Thailand’s top badminton official says he’s trying to save the country’s tarnished image after an on-court brawl between former Olympics doubles partners last weekend in Canada.

Friday’s comments by Charoen Wattanasin, president of the Badminton Association of Thailand, came a day after the world badminton body opened two disciplinary cases against the players.

Their fight during the Canada Open men’s doubles final Sunday was caught on video and had hundreds of thousands of viewers online.

The video showed Bodin Issara lunging at his ex-partner Maneepong Jongjit and chasing him around the court, then onto a neighbouring court before repeatedly punching him and kicking him on the ground.

The pair had played together at the 2012 Olympics.

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.

Related Articles