Thai Teen Norton Triumphs Over Chinese Top-10 Player
Thai table tennis prodigy Norton Thitiphot Preechayan, 16, upset China's world number eight Lin Shidong 3-2 in the Asian Games quarterfinals, marking a rare victory for Thailand against an elite Chinese competitor.
Although Thailand's men's table tennis team fell to China in the quarterfinals with a 1-3 score, that single point earned headlines worldwide when 16-year-old rising star Norton Thitiphot Preechayan defeated Lin Shidong, the world's eighth-ranked player and former world number one from China, winning 3-2 with set scores of 4-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7, 11-7. He is virtually the first Thai athlete to overcome a top-10 Chinese competitor. Norton's name has become the talk of the world because of his aggressive playing style, fearlessness, powerful counterattacks, aggressive court movement, and willingness to take calculated risks—a fierceness necessary to beat elite opponents.
Norton was identified early by the Table Tennis Association for his exceptional skills compared to peers his age. His modern-minded parents fully supported a homeschooling arrangement during primary school to allow full-time athletic training under coach Sanon Wongkaew. When he entered secondary school, he continued the same path with support from Thaiyahat School in Samut Songkhram, which arranged his schedule to make him a full-time athlete.
Table Tennis Association President Nathawut Ruengwes revealed this model mirrors the approach used for athletes like Suthasini Sawatbutr and Orawan Paranang, who studied at the national sports school and now earn 2-3 million baht annually. Before the Asian Games, the men's singles team had its quota cut, but Nathawut decided to gamble by elevating Norton above his age group to the senior team after witnessing his potential—highlighted by winning the world mixed doubles championship in the under-15 category with Ploy Kulphasorn Wichitviriyagul. The decision faced criticism over men's table tennis having won no gold at the SEA Games, Asian Games, or Olympics.
"We had no quota at all, but we were confident in Norton's potential," Nathawut said. "We decided to push him up above his age group in a way we had never done before, because his results were clear and we could see it was possible."
Norton's performance at these Asian Games now proves how exceptional he is, with China, Japan, and South Korea—major powers—now paying attention and gathering intelligence on him. He still has the men's singles competition ahead, where Phra Kalai stands in the way, but Norton shows no fear. With a mindset ready to face anyone, no matter their ranking, he believes he can beat anyone in the world with dedication.
"He is an athlete who dares to dream and fight everyone. He doesn't care about world rankings—he just wants to compete and hit the ball. He believes he can beat anyone if he commits himself. This way of thinking is interesting, and it will be worth watching Norton in singles. There could be more surprises," the association president added.
