Bangkok: The Sports Association for People with Disabilities is intensively preparing its team, aiming for at least 17 gold medals at the upcoming Asian Para Games. Pongsakorn Paeyo and Athiwat Paengnuea, world record holders in wheelchair racing, will lead the charge for Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai national para-athlete team is gearing up for the 5th Asian Para Games scheduled for October 18-24, 2026, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) is working alongside the Paralympic Committee of Thailand and four other sports associations to prepare the athletes. Since the 13th ASEAN Para Games in January 2026, the team has been in rigorous training, aiming for a total of 24 gold medals.
Mr. Maitri Kongruang, President of the Thailand Paralympic Committee, stated that the athletes are being prepared in 15 sports. Most athletes are training at the National Paralympic Training Center in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, while others are training in Suphan Buri Province. Additional training locations include Bangkok for Taekwondo, Chiang Mai for cycling, Nonthaburi Province for badminton, and table tennis at Bangkok Thonburi University.
The Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand has high expectations, particularly from world-class athletes like Pongsakorn Paeyo and Athiwat Paengnuea. Their recent achievements at the International Para Athletics Competition in Switzerland have bolstered confidence in securing at least 6 gold medals in wheelchair racing.
Opportunities also abound in other sports. Wheelchair fencing, led by Saisunee Chana, aims for 3-4 gold medals. In athletics, Sasirawan Intachoti and Plathip Khamta are eyeing 3 gold medals. Badminton stars Nattapong Meechai and Mongkol Boonsoon are hopeful for 2 gold medals. In shooting, Anusorn Chaichamnan and Atidet Intanon aim for more than 2 gold medals, while table tennis targets up to 5 gold medals.
'The athletes from the Thailand Paralympic Committee have set a target of winning at least 17 gold medals this time. Based on continuous training, we are confident in achieving this goal. Our main competitors include China, South Korea, Japan, and several Middle Eastern nations, who have prepared their athletes better than before,' Mr. Maitri concluded.