Thai Teen Stuns Former World Champion at Teqball Tour
Thai 16-year-old Kanthanu "Athens" Phothong upset a former world champion ranked seventh to reach the round of 16 in his international singles debut at the Teqball Tour – Si Racha 2026 in Chonburi. The world-ranking tournament runs through October 25 with 97 players from 23 countries competing for 400 ranking points. Thailand entered 18 athletes including Asian Games champions and youth wildcards, with free admission and live streaming available for the remaining two days.
Sixteen-year-old Thai Teqball player Kanthanu "Athens" Phothong competed in men's singles for the first time at the world-ranking Teqball Tour – Si Racha 2026 in Chonburi, defeating a former world champion ranked seventh globally to reach the round of 16. The event at Pacific Hall, Pacific Park Sriracha, Chonburi, from October 23-25, 2026, features 97 athletes from 23 countries competing in men's singles, women's singles, and mixed doubles. Thailand, as host, entered 18 athletes including three recent Asian Games gold medalists and youth wildcards.
Lt. Col. Preeyaphat Charoenphong, President of the Teqball Association of Thailand, revealed that in partnership with the International Teqball Federation (FITEQ), the association will host two international world-ranking tournaments this year. The Si Racha Tour offers 400 world-ranking points to the champion, attracting top players including men's singles world number one Apor Gyorgydeak of Romania and men's doubles world number one Marek Pokwap of Poland.
Thailand fields its full Asian Games gold-medal squad led by "Yoknoi Lamphun" Jutatip Kuntatong, world number one in women's singles and women's doubles. The men's lineup comprises the country's top four: "Tom" Jirate Changleang, "So" Sarasak Thaesiri, "Bamboo" Kesda Mahasakdisit, and "Athens" Kanthanu Phothong. Competing against world-class opponents will help gauge the team for future major tournaments. Host wildcards also gave 18 youth prospects from across Thailand rare international exposure.
Lt. Col. Preeyaphat invited Thai sports fans to attend the free-admission event at Pacific Hall on October 24-25 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, or watch live on the TEQ TV YouTube channel and T Sports 7 throughout the day.
On the opening day, October 23, men's singles group stage featured eight groups of four, with the top two from each advancing to the round of 16. The highlight came in Group E where "Athens" Kanthanu Phothong, a 16-year-old rising star making his international singles debut after normally competing in doubles (silver medalist at the 2025 Asian Youth Teqball Championships in Bahrain), impressed by winning his first two matches against Samir Fadeli of France and Yassine Sahli of Turkey before facing "Ade" in the group decider.
