View Kulavut Vititsarn, Thailand's most successful male singles badminton player, shares his real-life story that goes beyond mere 'victory'.

Every success and disappointment has made View stronger. His goals remain clear: to win another World Championship in 2026, his first medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, and the 2027 All England Championships, one of the three major tournaments he's dreamed of since childhood, alongside the World Championships and the Olympic Games.

However, beyond her undeniable talent, what has earned View international recognition is her humility, which even badminton legend Lee Chong Wei, whom View considers a hero, has praised.

“Actually, I learned humility from Lee Chong Wei, as well as from P' Man Boonsak Ponsana (former Thai number one badminton player). I want to apply the qualities of both of them to myself,” View said with a smile. “Lee Chong Wei was the world number one for a long time, but he was never arrogant. When we wanted to learn something, he always gave us great advice and taught us without holding anything back.”

Another important person in View's life is May Ratchanok Intanon, the former world number one women's singles badminton player, who is like an older sister to him in the sport. "May and I have been close for a long time. I have to thank May for always advising me and showing concern for things that really matter. May is a very well-rounded person, disciplined in every aspect, both on and off the court. I respect and admire her as a true legend of Thai badminton."

At the same time, competitors were equally important teachers, especially Viktor Axelsen, the two-time Olympic gold medalist who recently announced his retirement a few months ago. "Viktor was the one who helped me grow the most, because we mostly lost to him. Playing against him made us realize where our weaknesses were and what we needed to fix."

For View, an athlete's success doesn't end on the podium. The real impact is in making people pay more attention to their health and believing in the power of sport again.

"When I won an Olympic medal, it helped badminton boom. More Thais started playing sports, they were happier, and their physical health improved. Many younger people started playing badminton after watching the competitions. We never know, but one day there might be a rising star who will become a key player for the Thai national team in the future."

When asked what advice he would give to young aspiring badminton players, View humbly replied, "I have nothing to teach," because he believes many of the new generation of athletes already possess great skill and potential. However, one thing he would like to emphasize is "how to deal with the world of social media."

"Sports and social media go hand in hand. Some people can't cope with social media and may even develop depression. Therefore, the skill of managing criticism is very important."

Viw admitted to having direct experience with critical messages directed at him. “Sometimes we just lost one match, is that such a big deal? I don’t really care, but for some people it might not be funny. So, athletes need to have good immunity to social media. It’s not just about being physically fit, but also mentally strong.”

Over 18 years on the badminton track, many may see View's success through trophies, medals, and world rankings. But behind all of that is a long journey filled with pressure, successes and disappointments, injuries, and various other obstacles—all part of an athlete's life.

"One of the hardest things about being a professional athlete is overcoming boredom and discouragement, because we have to do the same activities every day, every week. It's something every athlete has to adapt to."

If he could go back and speak to his younger self, View would want to thank that child for not giving up. “I want to thank all the efforts that have brought me to this point. From the time I started playing badminton as a child with poor health, it required discipline, perseverance, determination, as well as a good team, good coaches, and good planning.”

Importantly, he didn't forget to thank his Thai fans for their constant support. "I'm always happy to come back home to play in the Thailand Open once a year and see the fans cheering me on in the stadium. From now on, I will do my best." (smiles)

Vieux concluded his interview with Tatler with a motto he's held onto since childhood: "If you're not tall, you have to stand on tiptoe; if you're not talented, you have to be diligent."

"This quote resonates deeply with my life. Because if we're not tall, we have to reach out and seize opportunities. And if we're not naturally talented, we have to work harder to achieve success."

Ultimately, the influence and inspiration from this Tatler Gen.T Leader of Today isn't just about the number of medals or world rankings, but about convincing many people that small acts of intention and discipline, repeated daily, can take us further than we ever imagined…