Thai Water Polo Goalkeeper's Father Celebrates Historic Asian Games Medal
Thailand's women's water polo team won the country's first-ever Asian Games medal with bronze, as goalkeeper Phanthila Asayuth recovered from simultaneous shoulder and knee surgery to achieve her goal.
Abhisak Asayuth, a former Thai football player and coach known as Coach Odd, is the father of Phanthila Asayuth, goalkeeper for Thailand's historic women's water polo team that won the country's first-ever Asian Games medal. Thailand's women's water polo team made history by claiming a bronze medal at the Asian Games, marking the first time a Thai water polo team has won a medal at the Games.
Coach Odd posted an emotional message to his daughter after Phanthila decided to undergo simultaneous shoulder and knee surgery to ensure her body would recover in time for the 2025 SEA Games. In his post, he wrote: "A memory from 24 September 1969. Thank you, Phanthila Asayuth, for persevering through pain, hardship, and difficulties to reach this day."
He recalled his amazement at her decision to have both surgeries done at once rather than separately, fearing she might not recover in time for the SEA Games. "Your mother wanted you to stop playing to spare you the pain. We were most afraid of whether you could handle the pain during recovery, especially having two major surgeries at the same time. We were worried."
Coach Odd concluded with pride: "Today, your goal is achieved. You wanted an Asian Games medal and you brought home this historic medal. I am so very proud of you. Thank you for your patience. Thank you for bringing this historic medal home to us. Thank you for bringing honor to our country. We commend all the athletes—you are all wonderful, all excellent, and we admire you from the heart."
