Jiang Zuoxun and Sarunrak have emerged as a cross-border couple in the international badminton community after users on a prominent domestic badminton forum published photographs of the two players sitting together courtside, 163.com reported on October 7.
Courtside Photographs Reveal the Pairing
The images circulating online show Jiang and Sarunrak attending a tournament match together in close proximity, sparking widespread discussion across social media platforms. Commenters on the forum pointed out their shared background as professional athletes and noted their birth year. Both players were born in 2006, with Sarunrak being roughly one month younger than Jiang. Sarunrak, representing Thailand, stands 1.69 meters tall and competes primarily in the women’s singles division.
Sarunrak Returns to Badminton After Severe Injury
Sarunrak is well-known to badminton fans for her familial connection to men’s singles gold medalist Kunlavut, who claimed the title at the Asian Games in Nagoya. While siblings pursuing professional badminton careers is uncommon, Sarunrak has faced significant hurdles on the court. She captured bronze medals in the women’s singles events at both the Asian Junior Championships and World Junior Championships in 2024. A severe injury subsequently forced her to miss the entire 2025 competitive calendar. Upon returning to the circuit this season, she secured ranking points through victories at international challenge events in the Philippines and Malaysia before winning the women’s singles title at the Vietnam Open last month.
Competitive Standings on the International Circuit
Jiang, competing for Malaysia, holds a lower world ranking and has experienced a more challenging competitive path. His international appearances in 2024 included the Asian Junior and World Junior Championships, where he exited early without reaching the medal podium. Restricted primarily to international series and challenge tournaments due to his ranking, Jiang recorded a 9–14 match record over the course of the season.
Cross-Border Romances Across the Sport
International relationships are a recognized fixture within the badminton circuit. Notable pairings include Malaysia’s men’s doubles player Ong Yew Sin and Japan’s women’s singles player Aya Ohori, France’s men’s singles player Popov and Denmark’s women’s singles player Mia, and the Netherlands’ men’s singles player Carljo and Denmark’s women’s singles player Jeksfjord, alongside other prominent couples familiar to followers of the sport. Malaysian media outlets have also frequently reported on a rumored relationship between Chen Tang Jie and China’s Olympic champion Jia Yifan, though that pairing has not been officially confirmed by the athletes.
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