13-Year-Old Koh Samui Jet Skier Wins Championship in Malaysia

Naphatthorn Maidech, a 13-year-old jet ski athlete from Koh Samui in Surat Thani Province, has claimed first place in the youth male category (ages 13-15) at the Kundang Invitational Jet Sports Geopark Challenge 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on August 29, 2026, winning the 1100 Spark Beginner championship. The second-year middle school student from Saint Joseph School Koh Samui, who lives in Na Mueang Subdistrict, has built an impressive competitive record that includes a fifth-place world ranking at the King Cup 2025 in Pattaya last year and a championship title in the 13-15 close cross category in Laos earlier this year.

In preparation for the Malaysia competition, Naphatthorn trained intensively for two weeks beforehand with proper warm-up routines. He expressed his dedication to fellow youth, emphasizing that success requires consistent practice, and shared his current goal of winning a world championship in the 13-15 close cross category. Despite the demanding training regimen, he remains fully committed and proud of his accomplishments, crediting his passion for jet skiing and the support of his parents, Jongrak Maidech and Sirinnapha Maidech, who oversee his training and development.

The Malaysia competition drew a large and diverse international field of competitors from multiple countries, providing Naphatthorn with a competitive platform to showcase his skills and determination.