Thailand Para-Cycling Team Targets First Gold at Asian Para Games

Thailand's para-cycling team is undergoing intensive training at the Sports Science Center at Chiang Mai's 700 Years Stadium to prepare for the Asian Para Games, following a training program lasting more than two years. The team aims to secure at least one gold medal, working under Swiss head coach Christian Stauffer alongside team manager Associate Professor Dr. Ann Mahakeeta and Malaysian coaching staff tasked with raising athlete performance across all areas.

The team's hopes rest on sprint cyclist Jaturong Niwantti, supported by 30-year-old hand-cyclist Arthchai Sriwijai from the MH5 category, who rebuilt his life following an accident at age 18 before becoming a national athlete. Sriwijai won two silver medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games and finished 7th at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Another key athlete is 21-year-old Patcharaphat Seesen from Nong Bua Lamphu in the WH2 hand-cycling category, born with weak limb muscles who has risen to 3rd in world rankings in her division after winning one gold and one silver medal at the Asian Para Games hosted by Thailand.

Both Sriwijai and Seesen, along with the rest of Thailand's para-cycling team, are targeting success at the Asian Para Games, using sport as a catalyst to transform their own lives and those of their families. The cycling competition at the Asian Para Games features 34 gold medals total, with Thailand sending nine athletes across 17 events between October 18–24. Meanwhile, General Withaya Kanthaubul, deputy chairman of the Thailand Association for the Blind, visited the team to encourage blind cyclists before the opening of the Thailand Blind Judo Championship at the National Sports University's Chiang Mai campus, serving as an important warm-up venue for athletes ahead of international competition.