Bangkok (VNA) – Para-athletes of Thailand, including those who shone in at international events, hope to claim the overall title at the 13th ASEAN Para Games, which kicked off in Nakhon Ratchasima on January 20.
Saysunee Jana, a five-time Paralympic gold medallist and a triple gold medal winner at the Paris Paralympics in 2024, will compete in two events -- epee class B and foil class B -- and she hopes to win both events.
Saysunee made history after becoming the first woman to win three gold medals -- epee, foil and sabre -- at a single Paralympics at Paris 2024. However, she has never competed in the Asean Para Games as the sport was not included in the tournament after the 2008 Games in Thailand.
Meanwhile, three-time Paralympic gold medallist Pongsakorn will be a part of the wheelchair racing team, featuring well-known athletes such as Chaiwat Rattana, Athiwat Paeng-Nuea, and the legendary Prawat Wahoram. Besides, rising track stars like Plathip Khamtha, Sasirawan Inthachot, and Orawan Kraising will also hope to make a name for themselves.
Pongsakorn won his third consecutive Paralympic gold in the men's 400m T53 event at Paris 2024 to add to his victories in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, while Chaiwat triumphed in the men's 100m T34 event in Paris while Prawat is one of Thailand's most successful Paralympians with 16 medals won.
The para table tennis team will be led by Paralympic silver medallists Rungroj Thainiyom and Wanchai Chaiwut while the boccia team are led by world-class athletes including Worawut Saengampa, Watcharaphon Vongsa, and Pornchok Larpyen.
The 13th ASEAN Para Games marks Thailand's return to hosting the games after 18 years, since the 4th Games in 2008. The country sets to secure 233 gold medals, seeking to reclaim the championship title held by Indonesia over the past three editions./.
