To Thailand now where a teenager is coming to terms with the fact she's been crowned the youngest-ever badminton world champion. Winning the title has been a major ambition for the 18-year-old, who started playing the sport in a factory yard whilst waiting for her parents to finish work.

Ratchanok Inthanon is a fierce competitor.

It's a strength that's taken her from humble beginnings as the daughter of poor factory workers to becoming badminton's youngest-ever world champion.

As well as bringing fame, the sport's lifted her from poverty earning her riches, and gifts from Thailand's royal family. She's buying a house for her parents.

"Now I can take care of my family, rather than them having to take care of me." Ratchanok Inthanon said.

At the age of five, Ratchanok – known by the nickname May – started playing on a badminton court in the grounds of a factory in Bangkok, whilst waiting for her parents to finish work on the production line.

"At first no-one wanted to play with May because she was so young and she had to be content with watching the older children. But eventually they asked her to join in their game."

Success came quickly.

Just two years later she won Thailand's junior national championship.

And at 14 she became junior world champion.

Now just 18 – she's taken senior gold at the world championships last month in China.

"She really deserves this. She's sacrificed a lot, her childhood and time with her friends. Luckily her family is very supportive." Patthapol Ngernsrisuk, Ratchanok Inthanon's Coach said.

"It's an honor to be a role-model for the north east where I was born and also Bangkok where I grew up. I will try my best to make people proud." Ratchanok Inthanon said.

May isn't a girl to sit back. She practices seven hours a day, seven days a week.

And has her sights set now, on an Olympic gold in Brazil 2016.

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