Thai Youth Olympians Eye Medals at Dakar 2026

Thai badminton officials view China, Japan, and Indonesia, along with European nations, as the main rivals for medals. Pananat Prempanpong and Kungaew Kakanik, two rising badminton stars, will represent Thailand at the fourth Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. Meanwhile, cycling relies on the experience of "Coach Bee," Lt. Col. Juthathip Maniphan, the 2025 Asian champion, to intensively train Sunisa Jumthong, a promising new cyclist.

The movement of Thailand's youth national team heading to the fourth Summer Youth Olympic Games, "Dakar 2026," from October 31 to November 13, 2026, in Dakar, Senegal. The host nation will hold competitions in 25 sports vying for 153 gold medals. Thailand has secured quotas for 28 athletes 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 Badminton Association of Thailand received quotas for two athletes: Pananat Prempanpong in men's singles and Kungaew Kakanik in women's singles.

Air Chief Marshal Monthon Satchukorn, President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, stated that during the recent training camp, men's singles player Pananat from the Ban Thong Yot Club focused on techniques for constructing and closing out games to handle tight point situations. The emphasis is on his preferred attacking style while bolstering his defensive game to increase potential. Pananat is now competition-ready, with the athlete targeting a medal and aiming for the championship.

The Association President added that for Kungaew, the 16-year-old women's singles rising star from the Granular Club, former national men's player Sakrapee Thongsari oversees training. The focus is on physical strengthening down to detailed game execution to minimize errors during competition. Kungaew's readiness is considered complete, though she may still have some nerves as this is the largest event she has ever entered. The goal is to take it round by round to avoid excessive self-pressure.

"As for nations to watch as Thailand's rivals, they will be Asian athletes such as China, Japan, and Indonesia, as well as the European group, which has developed higher potential and also holds advantages in physical stature," Air Chief Marshal Monthon said.

Meanwhile, the Cycling Association of Thailand secured one quota for Sunisa Jumthong, a 17-year-old new national team cyclist. Sunisa is under the close supervision of "Coach Bee," Lt. Col. Juthathip Maniphan, the 2025 Asian Champion and double gold medalist at the 33rd SEA Games, who serves as both team manager and coach.

Gen. Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Cycling Association of Thailand, revealed that Sunisa will compete in two events: women's road race and time trial, facing 41 other rising female cyclists from five continents. Although the Youth Olympic Games is a youth-level competition, the standard is very high. However, he remains confident Sunisa can perform well because she has experience competing at the Asian Youth Games, where the race conditions were similar to Senegal — a smooth coastal circuit.

"But what makes this Youth Olympic Games different from other events is that all 42 nations..."