TOKYO: Singaporean Loh Kean Yew's reign as the world champion is over.
The world No 8 could not reproduce the form that saw him clinch the world title last year as he bowed out in the quarter-finals of the World Championships to1day.
Kean Yew, who created history by becoming the first ever Singaporean world champion last year, never really got going, as Thai youngster Kunlavut Vitidsarn got the better of him with a 21-12, 17-21, 21-8 win at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
The 21-year-old Kunlavut, a three-time world junior champion, started on the front foot as he snatched the first game 21-12.
Kean Yew, whose form has dipped significantly, gave himself a lifeline by taking the second game.
But it was world No 17 Kunlavut who had control in the deciding rubber as he sealed the win in 65 minutes.
"I gave it my all, and I left everything on court, but I was just unable to get the win," admitted Kean Yew.
"He was better prepared in the third game. He had better control of the pace.
"Overall, I have been playing as best as I could here. I am satisfied with my form."
Kunlavut is the first Thai shuttler to reach the men's singles semi-finals since Kantaphon Wangcharoen in 2019.
"I'm definitely happy with this result... it was a good performance," said Kunlavut.
"Winning the world juniors in the past was different as now I can compete against top players, and I have learned a lot."
He goes on to meet China's Zhao Jun Peng for a place in the final.
World No 23 Jun Peng, who stunned world No 5 Lee Zii Jia a day earlier, was also in top form as he overcame India's H.S. Prannoy 19-21, 21-6, 21-18.
The other semi-final will be between world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark and Taiwan's world No 4 Chou Tien Chen.
In the women's singles, reigning Olympic champion Chen Yufei continued her happy hunting in Tokyo after powering past Canada's Michelle Li 21-18, 21-17.
The fourth seed meets Taiwan's second seed Tai Tzu Ying, who downed Thailand's Busanan Ongbamrungphan 21-16, 21-9, for a place in the final.