Bodin Issara yesterday returned from a near two-year suspension for fighting to compete in the SkyCity New Zealand Badminton Open.
The Thai doubles expert is playing in his first tournament since his suspension after an incident at the 2013 Canadian Open which went viral around the world and shocked the badminton community.
It was a focused Issara, though, yesterday who, ironically, is partnering one of the opposition on that day in Nipitphon Puangpuapech. The 24-year-old concentrated throughout a thrilling match against Hee Chun Mak and Kok Siang Teo (Malaysia), and embraced his partner on smashing the winner on match point.
"I am just so happy to be back playing, to have my life back in badminton. I am very excited, this is my first match back after the suspension. I am very happy that we can win such a tough match.
"I am just back into training for a couple of months to get ready for playing. We will take this day by day, match by match in a very difficult tournament."
