Thai Amateur Boxers Shut Out of Asian Games After 72 Years
Thailand's amateur boxing team failed to win any medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, ending a 72-year streak of medal success at the continental competition.
Thai amateur boxing delivered a disappointing showing at the 2026 Asian Games, going home empty-handed without a single medal in 72 years.
Amateur boxing at the 2026 Asian Games took place on September 28 at Nishio Gymnasium in Japan. Thailand fielded three boxers in the quarterfinal round. In the women's 75-kilogram division, Phortip Buapa faced China's Pao Zixo Yi. The Chinese boxer proved dominant, winning decisively 5-0 on points and advancing to the semifinals with a guaranteed bronze medal, while Phortip was eliminated.
In the men's 55-kilogram division, Grangpee Bokuntod, an Asian youth champion, took on Mongolia's Karkuu Bilgunsaikhan. In the first round, the Mongolian boxer attacked aggressively throughout, while Grangpee waited for counters. The Mongolian's multiple punching combinations led to a first-round deficit of 0-5 for the Thai fighter. In the second round, Grangpee pressed forward and started well, but was caught mid-round with a punch that drew an eight-count from the referee. In the final round, Grangpee had no choice but to attack while Karkuu defended and countered effectively. Before the third round ended, Grangpee lost 0-5 on points, eliminated and missing out on a bronze medal.
In the men's 90-kilogram division, Chakrapong Yomkote faced China's Han Sujin. In the first round, Chakrapong threw excellent combinations while the Chinese boxer traded punches back in an exciting exchange. Chakrapong led 4-1 after the round. In the second round, the Chinese boxer accelerated aggressively. Chakrapong was also deducted points by the judges. Though in the late second, the Thai boxer landed solid body shots, the scoring went China's way. In the third round, Chakrapong tried to push forward but appeared to fade badly. When the third round ended, the referee awarded the win to Han Sujin 5-0. The Thai male boxer returned without a medal.
With these results, Thai amateur boxing finished the 2026 Asian Games without a single medal for the first time in 72 years. The last time Thailand's boxing team returned empty-handed was at the second Asian Games in 1954 in the Philippines.
