Lt. Col. Nayanop Bhirombhakdi, Chairman of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand. Went to see the training of Thai Para athletes who were preparing to participate in the competition. “4th Asian Para Games” between 22-28 October 2023 in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. At the Sports Training Center for the Disabled, Suphanburi Province
By Lt. Col. Nayanop Bhirombhakdi, Chairman of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand Said after watching the training of Thai Para athletes that Our athletes are ready and confident. This group of athletes has been in quarantine since March 2022, long since before competing in the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia. We are confident that we will do a good job. Although many countries are rapidly developing sports for the disabled, But from our readiness, we believe that Thai Para athletes will be able to produce better results than the previous Asian Para Games. in Indonesia Received 7th place with 23 gold medals, 32 silver medals, 50 bronze medals.
“In addition, what the Thai Paralympic Committee has always given importance to is creating new star athletes. In this Asian Para Games, there were many talented new athletes participating in the competition to gain experience. It is preparation for our main goal, which is the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, where it is expected that more Thai athletes will qualify. To increase the chances of winning more medals for Thailand than before.”
While Mr. Maitri Kongruang, Secretary-General of the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand It is one of the Sports Association for the Disabled that has athletes participating in this competition. Revealing the readiness to prepare athletes that Currently, the athletes under the supervision of the association are almost 100 percent ready. We have been practicing and gathering for a long time. Keep doing better work. We believe that our athletes will be one of the important forces that will create success in this competition.
“From the start of our training to our success in the ASEAN Para Games in Cambodia, it is evident that our athletes have improved. Record athletes have been able to break many records. Importantly, it is a new generation of athletes that have emerged, such as swimming. Previously we received more than 10 medals, but this time we received more than 20 gold medals. And there are athletes who can break Asian records. The results from the ASEAN Para Games are indicative of the direction we are taking. There is a chance of success in the future. We hope that it will lead to further developments with the destination being Paris 2024. As for the Asian Para Games this time, We definitely got no less medals than before.
Mr. Phattharaphan Kritsana, President of the Thai Wheelchair Basketball Association One of the sports associations for the disabled that is ready to restructure according to the IPC (International Paralympic Committee) revealed, “For the men's team, looking at the bracket, they have a chance of reaching the semi-finals. But we may have to meet the host China in the round of 8, which we have won 3 times in a row, and this time we should be able to pass. As for the semi-finals, it is expected that we will meet Japan, which has a silver medal. Olympics Although it is difficult work But on the day we are ready, anything can happen. If on match day we can bring out good playing form. We can fight with every team. The goal of the men's team is to at least be in the top three.”
“For the women's team, last time we won a bronze medal. From winning 1 point against Iran, this time we have prepared the team very well, planning to practice systematically and continuously. In addition, there are rising stars athletes added. They play well together. I am confident that our women's team will at least retain the bronze medal.”
Thongsa Marasri, a Paralympic weightlifter for the Thai national team, said, “Since the ASEAN Para Games The coach plans to train continuously to keep the body fit at all times. The goal this time is to be in the top 3 in order to win a medal.”
For Thai Para athletes and team officials, a total of 491 people will compete in the “4th Asian Para Games” in a total of 22 sports, including archery, athletics, badminton, boccia, canoeing, chess, cycling, football. 5 people, Go, Go, Judo, Curl Bowl, Weightlifting, Rowing, Shooting, Sitting Volleyball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing and wheelchair tennis
The performance of the Thai Para athletes in the competition "Asian Para Games 2018" last time In Indonesia, they achieved 23 gold medals, 32 silver medals, and 50 bronze medals, finishing the competition in 7th place
Source: Thai News Agency