Thailand Women Win Silver at Asian Age Group Water Polo Championships
Thailand's women's water polo team won silver at the Asian Age Group Championships by defeating Japan 17-13, with the result bolstering confidence ahead of the 2026 Asian Games where the team aims for a top-three finish.
BANGKOK — 24 July 2026, Thailand's women's water polo team defeated Japan 17-13 to claim the silver medal at the Asian Age Group Championships, boosting the aquatics chief's confidence ahead of a podium finish at the 2026 Asian Games.
The 2026 Asian Age Group Championships concluded at the Thammasat University Aquatic Centre in Rangsit, with the highlight of the final day of competition featuring the women's division, where the Thai squad—fielding nine players from its Asian Games training squad—faced a similarly prepared Japanese national team. Both teams entered the contest with identical records of four wins and one defeat, while China had already secured the gold medal after winning all six of its matches.
The winner of the Thailand-Japan clash would claim the silver medal, while the loser would receive bronze.
Thailand played with confidence in the opening period and raced to a 7-3 lead before extending its advantage to 10-4 by half-time. However, Japan rallied in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to 12-9. Thailand responded with disciplined defence and quick counter-attacks using long-ball passing after Israeli head coach Maxim Kordonskiy swiftly adjusted the team's tactics.
Thailand was also supported by an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Phanthila Asayut, the reigning Most Valuable Player of Israel's women's water polo league, who produced a series of crucial saves. Paranee Chotirojananont also impressed with superb lob shots, helping Thailand secure a 17-13 victory over Japan and the silver medal.
After the match, Kordonskiy praised his players for delivering one of their best performances. "It was an excellent competition for the youth division," he said. "Against Japan, we focused on keeping the team relaxed, and that allowed them to perform well. The final quarter changed the game because our defence became much stronger."
He added that the team still needed to improve in all areas ahead of the Asian Games.
Sueb Chaiya, chairman of the Water Polo Committee of the Aquatic Sports Association of Thailand, said the Thai women's victory over Japan to secure the silver medal had further strengthened the team's confidence, noting that the squad forms the core of Thailand's team for the upcoming Asian Games. "Our target is to finish among the top three at the Asian Games, and after this result we are confident we have a strong chance of achieving that goal," he said.
