Thai Swimming Shines at Asian Games Despite Medal Drought
Thai swimmer Phurichaya Janyamitree broke the national record in the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the Asian Games, though Thailand failed to medal as four swimmers advanced to finals across multiple events.
Thai swimming remains without a medal at the 2026 Asian Games, though Phurichaya Janyamitree delivered an outstanding personal performance and broke Thailand's national record in the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the 20th Asian Games on September 23 at Tokyo Aquatics Centre in Japan. Thai swimmers advanced to the finals in four events.
In the women's 100-meter butterfly, Napphaswan Charitklao clocked 1:00.76 in qualifying but slowed to 1:01.25 in the final to place 10th. Gold went to Yu Yiting of China, silver to Zhang Yufei of China, and bronze to Natalie Gan Sook Tung of Hong Kong.
In the men's 200-meter freestyle, Ponpanot Triton posted 1:49.46 to place ninth. Gold went to Zhang Zhan Zhu of China, silver to Hwang Sunwoo of South Korea, and bronze to Tatsuya Murasawa of Japan.
In the women's 100-meter breaststroke, Phurichaya Janyamitree delivered an excellent qualifying performance with a time of 1:09.77, breaking her own previous Thai national record of 1:10.18 set at the Thai championships in April. In the final she clocked 1:08.82 to place ninth. Gold went to Tang Qianting of China, silver to Satomi Suzuki of Japan, and bronze to Gotomi Kato of Japan.
In the women's 400-meter individual medley, Jindchuda Phoncharmchas posted 4:49 to place sixth. Gold went to Yu Xi Di of China, who broke the Asian Games record at 4:28.56, silver to Ke Wenqi of China, and bronze to Mio Narita of Japan.
