Navy Athlete 'Chai Mai' Finishes 83km Long Duathlon with Second Place Age Group Finish at T100 Triathlon World Tour Singapore 2026

Chai Mai, a triathlete from the Royal Thai Navy, completed a 83-kilometer long duathlon and secured second place in the Age Group category at the T100 Triathlon World Tour Singapore 2026 with a finishing time of 3 hours, 2 minutes, and 4 seconds, achieving third place overall.

The Thai Triathlon Association partnered with OP Sport Academy to bring over 30 Thai athletes to compete at T100 Triathlon World Tour Singapore 2026, which attracted a large number of athletes from around the world. Chai Mai's standout performance in the Long Duathlon category (9.5km run, 64km bike, 9.5km run) proved to be one of Thailand's most impressive results at the event.

The T100 triathlon distance is recognized as an international standard equivalent to World Triathlon's Long Distance (L1) level, comprising a 2km swim, 80km bike ride, and 18km run for a total of 100 kilometers. The event also featured other categories including Olympic Distance triathlon and both standard and long-distance duathlon competitions, allowing athletes of various levels to participate. Thai athletes competed in the Age Group category, which serves as a global platform for amateur athletes.

Kritpong Chavalit, president of the Thai Triathlon Association, stated that this success was not achieved by a single athlete but resulted from teamwork involving athletes, coaches, and supporters from all sectors. Age Group sports represent an important mechanism as they are accessible to people of all ages and continue to gain popularity across all distances, from short sprint formats to long distances like IRONMAN, which is recognized internationally.

Chaitpong noted that Thai athletes' success this time came from continuous preparation beginning in October 2568 (2025), with comprehensive athlete development covering physical, technical, and mental aspects through collaboration between coaching teams and specialists. Over several months, athletes underwent training and fitness testing including VO2 Max measurement and Lactate Tests, systematic swimming training, nutrition management, and sports psychology support, along with equipment and competition preparation assistance both in Thailand and Singapore. This reflects development through an "ecosystem" approach that elevates Thai athletes to international standards.

Chaitpong further stated that the team gathering of athletes and support staff reflects structural development of the Thai triathlon sector at an organizational level, not just individual achievement, and represents a significant step in elevating Thai athletes to the international stage. The Thai Triathlon Association plans to expand such initiatives to provide more Thai athletes with opportunities to compete at global events in the future.

This participation was supported by multiple partners including Optima Bike, Hydrodynamic, Stage Find The Real U, Pro Engy, Canon Thailand, Strength Lab, and TC Coach Psychologist Sport Exercise.