A fist fight that erupted during a sporting event Sunday is something Canadians might have expected of a hockey game but not of the Canada Open badminton match between two Thai men who had previously been Olympic partners.
The former partners entered into a fist fight at the Canada Open and were disqualified for their actions. (Image: YouTube screenshot)
The Vancouver Sun reported the incident occurring mid-match between Bodin Issara and Maneepong Jongjit.
It is unclear what started the altercation, but the Sun reported a referee warning the men for heated words at the beginning of the match. Here's more on their history to give you a bit of helpful background:
As recently as this January, Issara and Jongjit were ranked one of the best duos in the sport before the former announced his surprise retirement to look after his ailing mother and because of an injury and personal reasons, according to the Bangkok Post. Issara soon started competing again with another partner and an online badminton magazine cited his dissatisfaction with Thailand’s training facilities as the real reason behind his temporary retirement.
It is unclear what exactly set off the fight. (Image: YouTube screenshot)
Watch the footage showing Issara chasing Jongjit before the two fell onto a nearby court and began to throw punches:
The men were disqualified and Issara had two stitches on his ear. The Badminton World Federation stated that it is aware of the match that "ended in unusual circumstances" and it is launching an investigation.
(H/T: Business Insider)
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