Thai Boccia Stars Return Home With World Championship Medals

Thailand's boccia team returned home on Thai Airways flight TG653 after a remarkable performance at the Seoul 2026 World Boccia Championships, finishing with two gold medals and two bronze medals that underscored Thai athletes' strength in international disability sports and made the nation proud.

The standout of the Thai contingent was James Warawut Saengampha, who displayed excellent form to defeat Indonesia's Felix Adhi Yutda 3-2 and claim gold in the men's BC2 individual event—his third world championship title, following victories in Beijing in 2014 and Liverpool in 2018. Phat Ladamani Klahaichai secured Thailand's second gold by beating host nation South Korea's Tai Brake Chon Yejin 4-3 in the women's BC3 individual category, with the Thai national anthem ringing out across Seoul.

Warawut said the championship was a major event where everyone aimed to win the world title. "Getting my third world championship is a source of great pride," he explained. "Even though we haven't competed internationally much lately, this victory shows the results of hard training by myself and my entire team. I will carry this experience forward to the Asian Para Games, hoping to win one of three medals."

He thanked all supporters, Thai sports fans, the cerebral palsy sports association chairman, his family, coaches, and teammates, saying none of this would have been possible without their support.

The other two bronze medals came from Visnu Huat Pradis in the men's BC1 individual event and Pehlae Phromsok Laphyen in the men's BC4 individual event, bringing Thailand's total haul to four medals from the world championships.