Thai Swimming Star Returns to Full Training After Surgery
Thai swimmer Kamnachanok Khwanmuang has resumed full training after left ovarian surgery in August and is targeting the 200-meter butterfly at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
Kamnachanok Khwanmuang, a leading hope for Thailand's swimming team, has shed her injury and resumed full training while preparing to compete at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, targeting her best performance especially in the 200-meter butterfly event. Thai swimmers competing in the 20th Asian Games are currently training at their respective clubs, with Kamnachanok training at Thanyadpura Pool in Phuket under coach Saveia's guidance to prepare for competition.
Kamnachanok recently underwent left ovarian surgery on August 4 and recovered over approximately 10 days before resuming training in mid-August. She has now returned to full training.
Kamnachanok revealed her medical history, noting that in 2019 she experienced abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a cyst on her right ovary, which was surgically removed. In 2024, she experienced similar pain and was found to have a cyst on her left ovary, which was scraped out. In 2026, another cyst was discovered, prompting her to consult her family and decide on left ovarian removal to prevent recurrence.
She confirmed that she can now return to full training despite minor residual pain, which does not hinder her training or competition at the Asian Games, thanks to the minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure that enabled swift recovery according to plan.
At the 2026 Asian Games, Kamnachanok will compete in six events: 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter individual medley, 400-meter individual medley, 400-meter freestyle, 800-meter freestyle, and 4x200-meter freestyle relay. Her primary focus is the 200-meter butterfly, and she believes that anything is possible in the pool if she competes with determination and performs to her potential.
At the previous 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, she achieved her best finish with fifth place in both the 200-meter butterfly and 400-meter individual medley. At the 2025 SEA Games hosted by Thailand, she earned an outstanding three gold medals, two silver medals, and one bronze medal in swimming, plus one gold in open-water swimming.
