Thai Taekwondo Eyes Gold Medal at Asian Games Despite Weight Rule Shift
Thailand's eight-member taekwondo team heads to Japan's Asian Games next month aiming for gold medals despite competing under new Olympic weight divisions that disadvantage some fighters, including former champion Yu Ballangk.
On September 3, the Thai Taekwondo Association, represented by Pimonthep Sriwikhrom, chairman of Thailand's Olympic Committee and acting head of the national taekwondo body, introduced the national team preparing for the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan (September 19 – October 4). Eight athletes—four men and four women—have been selected to compete, and the team will undergo a training camp in Khao Yai in the coming days to refresh their focus before travel.
Sriwikhrom described this as the most challenging preparation yet, citing concern over new weight division rules. Traditionally, both Sea Games and Asian Games have used World Taekwondo Federation weight categories, but this Asian Games will use Olympic Games divisions, leaving only eight competition categories. This creates disadvantages for some fighters; for example, Yu Ballangk Tappim Daeng, a former 63-kilogram gold medalist at the 2022 Asian Games, now faces a gap with no 63-kilogram division—only 59 and 68 kilograms. Asking Yu to drop to 59 kilograms could be difficult since her natural weight is 65 kilograms, putting her at a disadvantage against existing 68-kilogram competitors.
Sriwikhrom acknowledged that while the team faces challenges, they must plan carefully and perform their best. He noted that taekwondo has other medal prospects, including Bai Tae Sasisakhan Thongjanthon in the 67-kilogram women's division and Im Patchrakanyan Phulukkert in the 49-kilogram division. Sriwikhrom also expressed a sense of loss at the absence of Tennis Phaniphack Wongpattanakij, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, but remains hopeful that new faces will deliver medals.
The taekwondo poomsae team will compete in a world championship in South Korea before the Asian Games and is expected to bring home medals. Head coach Chatchai Chwe acknowledged concerns about Tennis's absence, given her experience, but expressed confidence in Yu, Bai Tae, and other athletes who have competed at world level or the Olympics. While some athletes will be competing at an Asian Games for the first time, Chwe hopes they will perform fully. Regarding weight adjustments, some athletes have already been tested in their target divisions in recent international competitions with good results. Yu Ballangk remains the highest medal hope, having won gold at the 2022 Asian Games, competed at the Olympics, and captured a world championship. However, Chwe emphasized not wanting to pressure her. The women's division, he acknowledged, may face some difficulty.
