Thai Para Pong Pair Targets Title Defense After Norton Upset
Thai para table tennis players Pisith Wangphonphisiri and Rungroj Thainiyom aim to defend their men's doubles title at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan. Pisith acknowledges his long losing streak against China's three-time Paralympic champion Zhao Xu but draws inspiration from 16-year-old Norton's upset over China's former world No.1. Rungroj says he is fully fit and refining his technique to help the team bring home gold.
Thai para table tennis player Pisith Wangphonphisiri said he will compete in men's singles, doubles and mixed doubles at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, from October 18 to 24. He noted overall readiness after continuous training, though he suffers minor wrist pain and an old leg injury that could affect long, tough matches. Pisith added that the men's doubles event will feature strong Chinese pairs, the reigning Paralympic champions from Paris 2024, and he does not overlook North Korea. His goal is to maintain the standard from the previous edition—one gold and two bronzes—and to win gold in every event, especially men's doubles with his senior partner Rungroj Thainiyom, the defending champions.
Pisith also spoke about his inspiration from 16-year-old Thai talent Nitiphat Prachayan, known as Norton, who defeated China's former world No.1 Lin Shidong in the men's team event at the 20th Asian Games. He said that seeing Norton's victory gives him confidence that he too can overcome China's top singles player, Zhao Xu, a three-time Paralympic and four-time Asian Para Games champion whom Pisith has faced ten times without a win. Although his past encounters with Zhao have been close, he attributes losses to small details in strength and technique, but now believes he can compete and enjoy the match.
Regarding the doubles partnership, Rungroj Thainiyom said he is at 100 percent fitness and has refined his technique with greater variety. He aims to perform at his best and bring gold back to Thailand, adding that he will also compete in singles and mixed doubles and hopes Thai fans will cheer the national para table tennis team.
The article concludes by noting that the host country, Japan, has already begun the torch relay for the games.
