Thai Beach Teams Target Top Eight at 2026 Youth Olympics
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Thailand's youth squad is ready for the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, Senegal, from October 31 to November 13, 2026, featuring 25 sports and 153 gold medals. The Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) has supported the National Olympic Committee in comprehensive preparation, with Thailand earning quotas for 28 athletes across 11 sports.
A key highlight is the women's beach volleyball duo: 15-year-old Inthira Nilisthi and 16-year-old Phatthanaphong Wongnongwaew, teammates from Roi Et Municipal Sports School. They hold a silver from the National Youth Games U18, gold at U15, and bronze at U20, plus a national beach volleyball championship title. Coach Apichat Bua-ngam said the pair have played together for over three years, are in peak physical condition thanks to SAT's sports science support, and have pre-adjusted training schedules to handle the marathon travel and seven-hour time difference. Thailand is drawn in Group B alongside world number three Netherlands, Greece, and Tunisia; the coaching staff is confident of beating Greece and Tunisia to reach the final eight.
Meanwhile, the men's beach handball team was selected from over 70 rising stars nationwide, narrowed to the best 10. They aim to improve on the sixth-place finish at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Argentina. Their strengths are rapid speed ball and sharp finishing, backed by an Asian number one ranking and world number five. The coaching staff believes the young Thai side can enjoy competing with the world's top teams.
The 10 men's beach handball athletes are: Dennis Phenthong, Yosakrit Chongbut, Kiattisak Rueanyen, Thiwakorn Yamaprakon, Natthaphat Busayaprayoon, Ratchan Boonnonthaet, Ratthasat Phisutthasirikul, Natee Thongthi, Chayanon Khruangkongmat, and Thanaphon Samabang.
Under the National Sports Development Fund, gold medalists receive 2,000,000 baht, silver 1,000,000 baht, and bronze 500,000 baht. Fans can cheer the Thai youth delegation throughout the Dakar 2026 Games via the tourism and sports channel T SPORTS 7.
