Thai athletics aims to win 17 gold medals at SEA Games 33

Thai athletics is determined to assert its No. 1 position in Southeast Asia at the 33rd SEA Games on home soil.

Puripol Boonson is Thailand's biggest hope at SEA Games 33 - Photo: SS

The Athletics Association of Thailand (AAT) has officially announced its target of winning 17 gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games by the end of the year. This target was announced at the "Meet the Press" event in Bangkok, showing their determination to surpass the 16 gold medals they achieved at the previous SEA Games.

At the 32nd SEA Games (2023), Thai athletics won 16 gold medals, officially surpassing Vietnam (12 gold medals) to take the number 1 position in the region.

Previously, Vietnamese athletics dominated two consecutive SEA Games in 2019 (16 gold medals) and 2022 (22 gold medals). With home advantage at the 33rd SEA Games, Thailand is very confident in its ability to successfully defend its leading position.

To realize this goal, AAT has taken many careful preparations, including hiring an American sprint coach to improve the performance of athletes.

The events considered to be Thailand's strengths include the 100m, 200m, high jump, javelin throw, and the men's and women's 4x100m relay.

Vietnam athletics lost the number 1 position to Thailand at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia - Photo: TTO

The biggest hope for Thai athletics is placed on "prodigy" Puripol Boonson. This young man made a big splash when he won a silver medal in the 100m event at the 2023 Asian Games at the age of 17. He also finished second at the 2025 Asian Championships and made history by entering the world top 20 in the men's 100m event at the World Athletics Championships that same year.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Pimol Srivikorn - President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand - expressed her confidence that the Thai sports delegation will take the lead at this year's SEA Games, bringing pride to the country's fans.

With strong investment and the brilliance of young talents like Puripol Boonson, the target of 17 gold medals and the affirmation of Thailand's No. 1 position in Southeast Asia will create a big challenge for opponents, especially Vietnamese athletics.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dien-kinh-thai-lan-dat-muc-tieu-gianh-17-hcv-tai-sea-games-33-20251113120246781.htm