Bangkok: The Taekwondo Association of Thailand is aiming for a gold medal in the upcoming 20th Asian Games, scheduled to be held in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, from September 19th to October 4th, 2026. The association is preparing a team of 10 athletes, comprising eight competitors in the sparring category and two in poomsae (forms), with strong support from the Sports Authority of Thailand to minimize training injuries.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai national taekwondo team is gearing up for two significant competitions in Chuncheon, South Korea, before the Asian Games. The team will first participate in the World Cup Team Championship Series from July 14-16, 2026, followed by the Korea Open from July 18-22, 2026. The team will then return to Thailand for two months of intensive training. The Taekwondo Association is fully committed to clinching a gold medal in the sparring category and a bronze in the poomsae category.
Mr. Thanathit Raktabutr, Secretary-General of the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, expressed gratitude towards the Sports Authority of Thailand for their comprehensive support, which includes sports science oversight and the provision of sports psychologists for ongoing athlete consultations. Additionally, a collaborative project with Mahidol University focuses on analyzing athlete injury data, with expert medical personnel closely monitoring the athletes.
Mr. Thanathit noted the importance of understanding injury patterns to customize training plans for individual athletes, a strategy that has been in place for over two months. This approach aims to ensure athletes are optimally prepared for the Asian Games.
The taekwondo events at the 20th Asian Games will offer 11 gold medals: eight in sparring, two in poomsae, and one in realistic taekwondo.
The Thai taekwondo team includes eight sparring athletes: "Faees" Sirawich Mahammad (Men's 58 kg), "Yu" Ballang Thabthimdaeng (Men's 68 kg), "Ion" Krittayuch Prompatchu (Men's 80 kg), Jack Woody Mercer (Men's over 87 kg), "Im" Patcharakarn Poolkird (Women's 49 kg), "Khanomjeeb" Natthakamon Wasana (Women's 57 kg), "Bai Toey" Sasikarn Thongchan (Women's 67 kg), and "Lukkaew" Kanchanalak Chuenchuglin (Women's over 67 kg), led by head coach "Coach Che" Chatchai Che. The poomsae competitors are "Mooping" Navin Pindasut (Men's) and "Bai Por" Thitaree Kaewolarawasu (Women's), with Lee Na Yeon as the head coach.