Thai Youth Athletes Target Medals at Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics
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The Thai youth national team is set to compete at the 4th Summer Youth Olympic Games, "Dakar 2026," from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The host nation will stage 25 sports with 153 gold medals at stake. Thailand has secured 28 quota spots across 11 sports: athletics (2), badminton (2), beach handball (10), beach volleyball (2), boxing (2), judo (1), rowing (2), cycling (1), windsurfing (2), aquatics - swimming (2), and table tennis (2).
The Table Tennis Association of Thailand earned two spots: "Norton" Thitphat Prichayan, the 2025 World Youth Champion, will contest the boys' singles, while "Ploy" Kulphas Wiwiwiriyakul, the U-17 World Runner-up, will compete in the girls' singles. Both also hold the U-15 mixed doubles world title from the 2025 World Youth Table Tennis Championships and will pair up in the mixed doubles event, under coach "Nui" Sanan Wongkaew.
Table Tennis Association President Nattawut Rueangwet revealed that Norton and Ploy are association-developed athletes groomed to succeed the senior generation. They have trained together and competed internationally throughout the year. Norton made headlines at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan by defeating Lin Shidong, the former world number one from China. Most recently, both competed at the 2026 Asian Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (October 19-25, 2026), before returning to Thailand and departing for Senegal on October 28.
"Norton and Ploy have played together continuously, giving them excellent teamwork. In singles, both stand out and have a chance to reach the deep rounds and contend for medals. However, both are only 16 years old, while the Youth Olympics features U-18 competition — effectively a two-year age disadvantage — but they are fully ready to fight," Nattawut said.
The Boxing Association of Thailand also secured two quotas: "Fluk" Siwa Chainarong, men's 60 kg, 2026 Figurescap silver medalist, and "Deem" Pemika Payungkesorn, women's 48 kg. Both are training at Nakhon Ratchasima Municipal Sports School under national coach Puek Phungphanya. Siwa targets a top-three finish, while Pemika aims for her best performance. The Judo Association of Thailand earned one spot for Kanisorn Chinoon in the men's 90-100 kg division, who is targeting a strong result.
Sports fans are ready to cheer on the Thai youth team throughout the
