Joseph Claims Kiteboarding Gold; Rachot Edges Out Rival for Optimist Youth Sailing Title at Asian Beach Games
Thai athletes Joseph Jonathan Weston and Rachot Saad Watana claimed gold medals in kiteboarding and youth sailing respectively at the Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, as Thailand's water sports contingent secured two golds among six total
Young Thai kiteboard athlete Joseph Jonathan Weston delivered an outstanding performance from start to finish, capturing the Asian Beach Games gold medal. Thai youth sailor Rachot Saad Watana also won gold in the men's youth Optimist class at the 6th Asian Beach Games "Sanya 2026" held in Sanya, China on April 28, 2026.
Joseph Jonathan Weston, competing in the men's Formula kiteboarding class, maintained excellent form throughout all 15 rounds of competition. With the lowest penalty score of just 22 points, he secured the gold medal. Chinese athlete Xiao Shiming earned silver with 31 penalty points, while fellow Chinese competitor Yang Xinluo claimed bronze with 36 points. Sakhipat Thongjun finished in fifth place.
Meanwhile, youth sailor Rachot Saad Watana impressively edged out his fellow Thai sailor Sravich Naaksookh, the 2025 Asian champion, to claim the men's youth Optimist gold. After completing ten final rounds with a combined 34 penalty points, Rachot secured victory. Sravich, who failed to complete the final round, finished with 40 points to claim silver. Malaysia's Muhammad Yasin Sayah Raisan took bronze with 47 points.
Other Thai athletes' results include: Women's Optimist youth - Periyaphorn Chantrawong won bronze, and Surapa Muangngam finished fifth. Men's ILCA 4 youth - Harsalak Srinakhorn claimed silver, Patcharapol Rumvisai finished sixth. Women's ILCA 4 youth - Pailin Charoenphol won silver, Thanapon Phothkaew finished ninth.
Men's IQFOIL windsurfing - Wachirwit Thanupp won bronze, and Ratchanon Khunjang finished eighth. Women's IQFOIL windsurfing - Chanutkan Charoensouk finished eighth, and Wannida Wintachai finished tenth.
In women's kiteboarding Formula, Thai athletes competed for only 14 rounds due to insufficient wind conditions. Benyapa Chantawan finished fifth and Sipang Chantarangkul finished sixth.
Overall, Thai sailors, windsurfers, and kiteboard athletes earned a combined total of 2 gold, 3 silver, and 2 bronze medals.
