Thai Boxers Shine at Asian Games 2026 in Japan

Flight Officer Janthajem Suwan Peng delivered a dominant performance against a Vietnamese opponent, securing a clear points victory at the Asian Games 2026 amateur boxing tournament in Nishio, Japan on September 24. In the women's 51kg opening round, Lieutenant Chutamasana Ruksatya, a former silver medalist from the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, faced Feruza Kazakova of Uzbekistan. Despite being 33 years old and physically outmatched, the Thai boxer pressed forward aggressively in the first round, though Kazakova's youth advantage—nearly 10 years younger—allowed her to counter effectively. Chutamasana trailed 0-5 after the first round. In the second round, Chutamasana attempted to increase her attack from the start, but Kazakova's defensive counters proved effective. By the third round, the Uzbek boxer's superior conditioning and aggression were evident, and Chutamasana lost 0-5, eliminating her in the first round.

In the women's 65kg round of 16, Flight Officer Janthajem Suwan Peng, a 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medalist, faced Vietnamese boxer Hoang Ngoc Kim. In the first round, the Thai boxer pressed forward with sharp combinations and superior accuracy, while the Vietnamese opponent's counters lacked precision. Janthajem led 5-0 after the first round. In the second round, the Olympic bronze medalist maintained her aggressive approach and demonstrated excellent striking accuracy. In the third round, the Thai boxer continued her forward momentum and advanced to the round of eight with a decisive 5-0 points victory.