Thailand Fields 282 Para-Athletes for Asian Games
Thailand is sending 282 para-athletes to compete in the 5th Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan next October, targeting 24 gold medals across 18 sports. The Sports Authority of Thailand says the team's preparation is in excellent condition wi
Thailand is fielding 282 para-athletes for the 5th Asian Para Games, with the Sports Authority of Thailand (SAT) preparing the team in coordination with the Thai Paralympic Committee and four sports associations to pursue a target of 24 gold medals.
The Thai para-sports delegation will compete in the 5th Asian Para Games scheduled for October 18–24, 2026, in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.
Dr. Kong Sak Yodmanee, director-general of the SAT, revealed that SAT is collaborating with the Thai Paralympic Committee and four sports associations—the Thai Association of the Disabled, the Thai Association for the Blind, the Thai Cerebral Palsy Association, and the Thai Intellectual Disability Sports Association—to prepare 282 athletes for competition across 18 sports: archery, athletics (wheelchair racing), badminton, boccia, cycling, football, goalball, judo, weightlifting, shooting, sitting volleyball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair fencing, wheelchair rugby football, and wheelchair tennis.
"The preparation of Thailand's para sports team is in excellent condition, covering athlete training camps, allowance disbursements, and sports science," said the SAT director-general.
Regarding expectations for Thailand's para-sports team at the 5th Asian Para Games, Dr. Kong Sak stated that the sports associations have set a joint target of 24 gold medals: 17 from the Thai Association of the Disabled (comprising 1 in athletics, 6 in wheelchair racing, 2 in shooting, 1 in taekwondo, 2 in wheelchair fencing, and 5 in table tennis), 5 from the Thai Cerebral Palsy Association (1 in wheelchair racing and 4 in boccia), and 2 from the Thai Association for the Blind (2 in athletics).
"The selection criteria this time follow federation qualifications and athletes' world rankings. Given the excellent preparation work by all sports associations, we are confident that Thailand's para team will achieve results in line with our targets at this Asian Para Games," the SAT director-general concluded.
At the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, Thailand's para-sports team earned 27 gold medals, 26 silver medals, and 55 bronze medals, finishing 7th in the overall medal count. China, as host, topped the standings with 214 gold medals, 167 silver medals, and 140 bronze medals.
