Storm Batters Phichit! Thai BMX Championship Round 3 Nearly Called Off Mid-Event

A severe storm nearly derailed the third round of the Thai BMX Championship in Phichit province on the night of May 22, toppling nearly 20 tents at the Saranjitr Mongkhut Suksa cycling stadium. Despite the crisis, officials managed to clear the grounds and the finals proceeded as scheduled on May 23. Thai national team cyclist Gomethi Sukprasert, preparing for the 20th Asian Games, claimed the men's open class title as expected, alongside Chutikarn Kijjanichsetthiya. General Decha Hemkraisat, vice president of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), president of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and chairman of the Thai Cycling Sports Association, revealed that a powerful storm struck between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on May 22, nearly forcing postponement of the championship finals scheduled for May 23 at 9 a.m. However, competition organizers coordinated with Phichit provincial authorities and the provincial administrative organization to mobilize staff for cleanup operations starting at 6 a.m. on May 23. New tents were erected and athletes were able to train by 8 a.m., allowing the finals to commence on schedule at 9 a.m. and conclude by noon without any rainfall. The children's pedal bike championship on May 24 saw over 500 young competitors and more than 2,000 parents and relatives attending, creating a vibrant atmosphere and boosting the local economy. The men's open class title went to S.O. Gomethi Sukprasert, a Thai national team cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games and holder of two gold medals from the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, competing for the Defense Ministry office team. Second place was claimed by Phutthaphoomi Nakpaen, a Thai national team cyclist with two silver medals from the 33rd SEA Games, representing C.S.K. Tooling Pathumthani. Third place went to Nopphon Khlai Maniharn.