Thailand's Underwater Dance Team Trains In Europe Before Asian Games

Thailand's underwater synchronized swimming team is fielding an entirely new lineup for the 20th Asian Games. The Thailand Aquatic Sports Association sent the team for intensive training in Europe, with the goal of winning championships and returning to compete in the 2026 Asian Age Group Championship in Thailand.

The team of 13 athletes and four coaches trained in Italy for one month starting April 7, 2026, competing across Europe to improve their technical skills, physical conditioning, and modernize their performance to meet international standards. The Thai team achieved outstanding results, winning championships in Brescia, Italy, Hungary's national championship, and Switzerland's youth championship.

Secretary-General Thanawich Thossakul explained that the federation sent this new generation of athletes to Europe to gain experience, as most are rising stars representing the future of Thai underwater synchronized swimming. The association will evaluate their progress at the 2026 Asian Age Group Championship, hosting the event in Thailand from July 17-25, 2026. For the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan (September 19-October 4, 2026), the federation aims for improved results compared to previous performances.

Coach Yanani Chatrungrukkul noted that after the 33rd SEA Games last year, the senior team fully retired, requiring younger athletes aged 13-15, who are previous SEA Games champions, to move up to the senior level. Training began in February at the Thai National Sports Authority pool in Huamark. "For the 20th Asian Games, we cannot guarantee what the results will be because the athletes still lack experience competing at international level," the coach said. "It will be difficult to win medals against China, Japan, Kazakhstan, and other stronger nations, but overall performance must be better than before."