Born
in Bangkok, Thailand, Raphi Kanchanaraphi, at the urging of his
parents, concentrated on being a world-class badminton player at age 17.
Before immigrating to Canada, 1969, age 32, he had been seeded the number
one singles badminton player in the world. Settling first in Calgary, Raphi
was offered the badminton coaching job for the new Granite Club, Toronto,
1973. Raphi has a long history of tutoring, instructing, and coaching champion
badminton players. In Toronto, he was Jamie McKee’s coach when Jamie became
Pan American singles champion, 1978, and Canadian champion, 1977. The first
President of the Thai Society of Ontario, 1975, Raphi, in this 1997 retirement
party view, above, stands between Toronto brothers, Tom, left, and James
Muir, right, both Canadian champions in the 1970s. The racquet they hold
was used by Raphi in the 1958 Thomas Cup, a World Cup Tournament when Raphi
was ranked the number one seed in the world. [Photo, courtesy Raphi Kanchanaraphi]
Channarong
Ratanaseansuang born in Thailand, has been head badminton
professional at the Glencoe Club, Calgary, Alberta, ever since he immigrated
to Canada, 1967, the year Canada celebrated its 100th anniversary of Confederation.
Since that time, Channarong has played a significant role in the development
of badminton in Canada, guiding 21 athletes to Senior National Championships.
He continues to bring out the best in teams under his leadership, including
nearly 15 years as Canadian National Team Coach. Asan athlete himself,
Channarong competed at the very highest levels of badminton winning numerous
individual championships throughout the world. These include being ranked
#2 in the men’s singles, 1963, and winning the World Masters for those
55 years or older in the Men’s Doubles, Portland, Oregon, 1998. Channarong
coached Canada’s National Badminton Team at the Atlantic Olympics, 1996.
In this view, Channarong competes in a match at Toronto’s Granite Club,
1997. [Photo, courtesy Raphi Kanchanaraphi]