Raphi Kanchanaraphi

Raphi Kanchanaraphi (1936 – February 19, 2010)[1] was a world-class badminton player who represented both Thailand and Canada in international competition, and won national doubles and mixed doubles titles in both countries.

Career

Known for his anticipation and racket control, Kanchanaraphi was one of a cadre of fine Thai doubles players who helped Thailand to strongly contend for the Thomas Cup (men's international team competition trophy) in both 1961 and 1964. In partnership with Narong Bhornchima, Kanchanaraphi won 15 of his 18 Thomas Cup doubles matches in those two seasons, the wins including both of his doubles matches against Indonesia in the 1961 Challenge Round.[2] Kanchanaraphi and Bhornchima were men's doubles runners-up in the prestigious All-England Championships in 1962, narrowly losing to the famous Danes Finn Kobbero and Jorgen Hammergaard Hansen.[3] In 1969 Kanchanaraphi migrated to Canada where he won more titles, and competed in the Thomas Cup campaigns of 1973[4] and 1976[5] for Canada with former Thai teammate Channarong Ratanaseangsuang.

Achievements

Southeast Asian Peninsular Games

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1959 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Narong Bhornchima Thailand Charoen Wattanasin
Thailand Kamal Sudthivanich 		Silver Silver
1961 Yangon, Myanmar Thailand Narong Bhornchima Malaysia Tan Yee Khan
Malaysia Ng Boon Bee 		8–15, 15–6, 10–15 Silver Silver
1965 Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand Narong Bhornchima Malaysia Tan Yee Khan
Malaysia Ng Boon Bee 		8–15, 11–15 Silver Silver
1967 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Narong Bhornchima Malaysia Tan Yee Khan
Malaysia Ng Boon Bee 		Silver Silver

Mixed doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1961 Bangkok, Thailand Thailand Pankae Phongarn Malaysia Ng Boon Bee
Malaysia Ng Mei Ling 		14–18, 15–8, 15–9 Gold Gold
1965 Selangor Badminton Hall, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Thailand Sumol Chanklum Malaysia
Malaysia 		Bronze Bronze

International tournaments

Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1962 All England Thailand Narong Bhornchima Denmark Finn Kobberø
Denmark Jørgen Hammergaard Hansen 		16–17, 3–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1963 Canada Open Thailand Channarong Ratanaseangsuang Denmark Erland Kops
Scotland Robert McCoig 		13–15, 15–11, 13–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1970 Canada Open Thailand Channarong Ratanaseangsuang Japan Ippei Kojima
Japan Junji Honma 		15–10, 15–9 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1973 Canada Open Thailand Channarong Ratanaseangsuang Canada Jamie Paulson
Canada Yves Paré 		2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1973 Mexico International Thailand Channarong Ratanaseangsuang Canada Jamie Paulson
Canada Yves Paré 		18–15, 18–15 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner

Mixed doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1974 Canada Open Canada Barbara Welch Canada Rolf Paterson
Canada Mimi Nilsson 		15–5, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner

References

  1. ^ Obit Archived 30 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 24 July 2010
  2. ^ Herbert Scheele ed., The International Badminton Federation Handbook for 1967 (Canterbury, Kent, England: J. A. Jennings Ltd. 1967) 78-87.
  3. ^ Scheele, 168.
  4. ^ Pat Davis, The Guinness Book of Badminton (Enfield, Middlesex, England: Guinness Superlatives Ltd., 1983) 125.
  5. ^ H. A. E. Scheele, "Indonesia retains the Thomas Cup", World Badminton, August 1976.