Tarita Hongsyok, Phopthum Sriwong and Kunanan Pantaratorn are all students at British International School, Phuket (BISP) who have been making their mark on the court of late with a series of impressive performances and achievements.
Year 10 student Tarita, affectionaly known as Ig, has developed through the renowned BISP Tennis Academy. Her recent success on the international tennis scene has showcased her dedication, skill and sportsmanship to see her become established as a genuine ambassador for not only the Phuket-based school but Thailand in general.
Earlier this year, Ig became the Girl’s Doubles Champion at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) J30 Dushanbe Tournament, held in Tajikistan between Apr 8-13.
Joining foces with her playing partner Safina Safiulina from Kazakhstan, the achievement was particularly special for young Ig as it was her first ITF title. While the victory marked a memorable moment in her budding tennis career and was a true testament to her hard work and determination, it similarly set a promising tone for her future endeavours.
Ig has been a member of the Thailand National Junior Tennis Team for three consecutive years, competing in the under-14 age group for two years and now in the under-16 age group where she continues to shine.
Of particular recent note was being part of the team in the prestigious Billie Jean King Cup 2024 Asia/Oceania qualifying event, which took place in Kazakhstan on May 14. Competing against 16 countries, Ig played both singles and doubles matches. Despite Thailand not being a seeded team and not advancing past the strong competitors from the likes of South Korea and Taiwan, Ig’s individual performance was impressive and caught attention.
BURGEONING
In July and August of 2023, Ig was selected to be part of the Grand Slam Player Development Programme (GSPDP) /Asian Tennis Federation (ATF) /ITF team to tour Europe, standing out as the only Thai player in the group.
Following the European tour, Ig was again invited by GSPDP/ITF/ATF to join the under-16 girls team in China in November 2023, emphasising not only her talent but her burgeoning standing in the international tennis community.
Ig’s success is due in large part to her rigorous training regimen at the BISP Tennis Academy, where she trains 19 hours a week under the expert guidance and mentorship of coach and Academy Director Gill Lemore.
“Ig’s journey is a source of inspiration for her peers, younger athletes, and the entire BISP community,” a BISP spokesperson said. “Her commitment to excellence and her passion for tennis exemplify the values we strive to instil in our students. We are incredibly proud of Ig and look forward to supporting her as she continues to excel on the international stage.”
Also gaining widespread recognition are Year 11 students Phopthum (Pao) and Kunanan (Puthi), who were both recently selected to represent Thailand as National Junior Tennis players at international team events in the boys’ under-16 age group.
Most recently this saw the pair represent their country at the ATF Davis Cup Juniors Asia/Oceania final qualifying event, which took place from May 20-27 in Shymkent, Kazakhstan.
The Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand, under His Majesty’s Patronage, has officially recognised the achievements of both Pao and Puthi and acknowledges the role of BISP and the community in building a reputation for the nation.
While their adventures on court are in effect only just beginning, there is no doubt many Phuket residents will be watching keenly to see how these three supremely gifted youngsters develop and progress in the game in future.