Puribol Boonson is a gem of Thai sports - Photo: NAM TRAN
After convincingly winning the 100m race three days earlier, on the evening of December 13th, Thai athlete Puribol Boonson went on to win the gold medal in the men's 200m event with a time of 20.07 seconds - a SEA Games record.
Gold medals at the SEA Games have long ceased to be a concern for Boonson, as well as Thai fans, in the speed racing category.
The runner, born in 2006, has reached the 2025 World Championships and made a strong impression by reaching the semi-finals of the 100m event, as well as securing a place in the top 20 fastest runners on the planet.
But with the home advantage, Boonson's performance still earned the admiration of the sports world. Three days ago, he set an unprecedented record in Southeast Asia by running the 100m in 9.94 seconds (in the SEA Games 33 qualifying round).
Boonson became the first Southeast Asian to run the 100m in under 10 seconds – a milestone symbolizing the "Fastest Runners Club on the Planet". For comparison, that achievement would have earned Boonson a place in both the Olympic and World Championships finals.
This achievement was so impressive that the World Athletics Federation later sent Boonson a letter confirming the record, a meaningful congratulatory message.
And today, it was the IOC's turn to praise Boonson after he won the 200m race with a time of 20.07 seconds. Not only did they praise him, but the organization also confirmed Boonson as the second fastest runner in the world among athletes under 20 years old.
The only athlete under 20 years old who currently runs faster than Boonson is Sabia Butler (USA), who achieved a time of 20.02 seconds.
And if compared to the 2025 World Championships, Boonson would rank 7th in the 200m with this impressive time.
Too many impressive statistics show Boonson's strong breakthrough at this point, promising that he has the potential to join the top 10 fastest runners on the planet. In fact, Boonson finished 20th at the World Championships.
The Athletics Federation of Thailand had previously outlined a roadmap for Boonson to reach the Olympic (or World Championships) finals, as well as win a gold medal at the Asian Games. And at this point, it's safe to say that the 19-year-old Thai runner is very close to achieving that goal.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/thai-lan-dang-so-huu-1-trong-10-nguoi-chay-nhanh-nhat-hanh-tinh-20251213233256598.htm
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