So much has happened in Bangkok that there’s just no way 2013 had only 12 months. From the rise of young proteges and champion teams to lots of the usual misconduct, here are some of the top sports stories of the year.
1. A Thai teenager defeated an Olympic champion at the badminton world championships in China. She was such a sensation the chief of police challenged her to a match. No surprise who won:
Triumph! Ratchanok is first Thai badminton world champion, youngest ever
BATTLE OF THE SHUTTLECOCKS: Police chief to play Thailand’s world champion Ratchanok in badminton
Police chief loses badminton match against world champion Ratchanok
2. And the women of Thai volleyball defeated, well, everyone:
CHAMPIONS: Thailand beat Japan in 17th Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship final
Thai volleyball champions thank spirit for victory
3. An Olympian was cut down by a sniper in a case that got messier and messier:
Olympic shooter killed in drive by shooting
Police arrest Olympian’s mom-in-law after dramatic TV confession
Man accused of planning Olympian hit makes bail
Former Thai sport shooter surrenders in domestic battery case
4. Myanmar hosted the 27th Southeast Asian Games, but Thailand brought home with the treasure:
Thailand wins SEA Games medal count
Thailand leads SEA Games with 206 medals, Muay Thai events begin today
Thai track athlete hurdles into gold in dramatic last-second win
Thailand seeks gold medal in men’s football
5. Four big names in international football came to Thailand:
FC Barcelona crush Thailand in Bangkok
Liverpool fans display tasteless anti-Manchester United banner
Liverpool FC easily beat Thailand
Chelsea bid for Rooney, beat Singha All Stars
Manchester United suffers shock loss in Bangkok
6. It’s a sport sport famous for its image of civility. Thai badminton players shattered that image and embarassed the kingdom when they started beating on each other in Canada:
VIDEO: Thailand’s former Olympic badminton team brawls at competition, acts like children
Badminton player banned for two years for beating former doubles partner
Olympic badminton player apologizes for attack
7. Internet users took their disapproval for another athlete’s bad behavior online to settle the score:
VIDEO: Thai Premiere League player Leesaw throws fit on the pitch; fans trash his Wikipedia page
8. Thailand also triumphed as futsal champions but the heroes ended up with little more than the glory:
Thailand win AFF Futsal Championship
Futsal heroes left shortchanged by FAT
9. Thai football also had an election, which consistent to Thai politics, proved a mess:
Troubled Thai football to decide leadership
Thai football election results challenged
Fans unhappy with voters at FAT presidential election
10 A Thai sailor completed an epic journey across the sea:
