Bangkok: Wachirayan and Kittipoom have clinched gold medals at the Asian Age Group Swimming Championships, significantly boosting the Thai swimming team's medal tally. According to Thai News Agency, the event, held at the Sports Authority of Thailand swimming pool in Hua Mak, featured several remarkable performances, particularly in the 13-14 age group.
The girls' 100-meter freestyle event was a standout moment, with Wachiraya Thalawong, known as "Jeda," making a dramatic finish. Starting in lane 6, Jeda surged in the final 20 meters to touch the wall just a second ahead of her Japanese rival. She secured the gold with a time of 58.11 seconds. Nagisa Ueda earned silver with 58.12 seconds, while Chanya Phanfueng took bronze, clocking in at 58.59 seconds.
In the girls' 200m backstroke, Napak Saiyawong ("Nong Pleng") and Orawee Intapra-udom ("Nong Sprint") remained competitive with the leading group, finishing second in 2:18.78 minutes to win the silver medal. Rinka Ide captured gold with a time of 2:15.75 minutes, and a swimmer from Hong Kong took bronze with 2:20.77 minutes.
Kittipoom Pornpaisanvichit also delivered an outstanding performance, winning gold in the men's 100m breaststroke in the 13-14 years old category, finishing with a time of 1:06.43 minutes.
In parallel sporting events, the 'XPENG International Ice Hockey Cup 2026-Asia Elite Series' is taking place at the Thailand Ice Hockey International Ice Hockey Arena, Rama 9. The tournament features a round-robin format with twelve youth teams from four Asian countries competing in the Under-15 and Under-20 categories. In the U20 category, Thailand X Black triumphed over Taipei Frozone Selects 4-0 to win the Asian championship. In the U15 category, Hong Kong CSA emerged as champions.