Thai Sepak Takraw Eyes Four Gold Medals at 2026 Asian Games

Thailand's sepak takraw team is preparing for the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya 2026, with team manager Kamoln Tankimhongs announcing an ambitious goal to sweep all four gold medals in the events Thailand is competing in. The team has been training since April at the Thai Sepak Takraw Foundation Center in Khlong Song, Pathum Thani, and athletes are in good physical condition despite some needing to manage injuries from the 39th King's Cup in August.

Thailand will compete in four categories: men's team, men's singles, women's team, and women's quadruple. The men's team will be coached by Pornchai Kaewgaew (Coach Puoy) and Pattrapong Yupdi (Coach Note), combining experienced players with rising stars. The women's team will be led by Verachai Sangsawang (Coach Od) and Chakri Puangcharoen (Coach Chakri), also blending veteran athletes with newcomers. Thailand will travel to Japan two to three days before the tournament begins on September 20, 2026.

Tankimhongs emphasized that the competing nations—Malaysia, South Korea, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Myanmar—have strong programs due to long training periods. He stated that while the Thai team is confident and will make a full effort, success depends on athletes maintaining peak physical condition. The tournament will feature 12 nations competing in six events across three weeks at Paloma Mizuho Arena in Nagoya. Thailand previously won all four gold medals at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, claiming victories in men's team, men's singles, women's team, and women's singles.