“Aoi” Surajana Khambao shares her thoughts after winning the bronze medal in the women's 53kg category for the Thai powerhouse team at the 20th Asian Games.
“Aoi” Surajana Khambao spoke after securing the bronze medal in the women's 53kg category for Thailand’s weightlifting team at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, while 19-year-old rising star “Mei” Suthasinee Kaewsinkorn finished 5th in the women’s 49kg category. Meanwhile, two North Korean athletes won gold in both categories.
The weightlifting competition at the 20th Asian Games kicked off on the first day, 23 September 2026, at the Nagoya City Trade and Industry Center in Nagoya, Japan. The Thai weightlifting team competed in two categories with the following results.
In the women’s 53kg category, “Aoi” Corporal Surajana Khambao, bronze medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, competed for a medal. In the snatch, she lifted confidently, succeeding in her first attempt at 90kg, then clearing 93kg and 95kg on her second and third tries respectively.
In the clean and jerk, Surajana succeeded at 115kg on her first attempt and 119kg on her second. She attempted 127kg on her third lift aiming for the silver medal but failed. Her total was 214kg, earning her the bronze medal — the first medal for the Thai weightlifting team at this event — along with a 500,000 baht bonus from the National Sports Development Fund.
The gold medal went to Kang Hyun Gyong from North Korea with a total of 223kg (snatch 99kg, clean and jerk 124kg), while the silver medalist was Zhao Jinlan from China with 218kg (snatch 94kg, clean and jerk 124kg).
After the competition, “Aoi” Surajana said her clean and jerk lifts matched her training records, but her third attempt at 127kg was an effort to break the world standard of 126kg. In training, she had only managed 120-122kg. She acknowledged that North Korea was well prepared and said she would continue to work on improving herself.
“I’m very happy with this bronze medal. I gave it my all and want to dedicate it to everyone — my parents and Thai sports fans. My next goals are the 2026 World Weightlifting Championships in China in October and the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States, where I will strive to compete.”
The prize money for Thai athletes winning medals at the Asian Games from the National Sports Development Fund is as follows: gold medalists receive 2,000,000 baht, silver medalists 1,000,000 baht, and bronze medalists 500,000 baht.
In the women’s 49kg category, “Mei” Suthasinee Kaewsinkorn, a 19-year-old rising star representing Thailand, competed. In the snatch, she failed her first attempt at 75kg but succeeded on her second attempt at the same weight, and lifted 79kg on her third. In the clean and jerk, she successfully lifted 93kg, 96kg, and 99kg in her three attempts, achieving a total of 178kg and finishing 5th.
The gold medal went to Ri Song Gam of North Korea, who set new world standards in all three categories: snatch 94kg (world standard 93kg), clean and jerk 121kg (world standard 120kg), and total 215kg (world standard 211kg). The silver medalist was Mirabai Chanu Saikhom of India with 198kg total (snatch 87kg, clean and jerk 111kg), and the bronze medalist was Wijayana Luluk Diana Tri of Indonesia with 191kg total (snatch 88kg, clean and jerk 103kg).
After the event, “Mei” Suthasinee, the youngest in her category, expressed regret about failing her first snatch attempt, which disrupted her rhythm. However, she was satisfied with her overall performance and considered it valuable experience in a major competition. She aims to continue developing herself toward the Olympic Games.
At the event, “Sergeant Major Yod” Major General Intarat Yodbangtoey, Honorary President of the Amateur Weightlifting Association of Thailand, led the association’s executives — including “Madame Buts” Mrs. Butsaba Yodbangtoey, Chairwoman of the Advisory Board; General Wisut Detsakul, Secretary-General; Ms. Patama Lamtem, Deputy Secretary-General and Treasurer; Lieutenant General Wuttichai Isara, Board Member and Head of Medical Division; Ms. Sunanta Tiamphat, Executive Committee Member; Mrs. Thorpantasorn Wajithanjaroenkul, Head of Public Relations; and Mr. Yongyut Petsuwan, Advisor — to cheer on the athletes at the venue.
24 September 2026
Men’s 60kg category (Group A): “Fang” Sergeant Theerapong Silachai, silver medalist at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 61kg men’s category, will compete at 13:30 (11:30 Thailand time).
Men’s 65kg category (Group A): Mr. Patthapong Thongsuk will compete at 17:00 (15:00 Thailand time).
25 September 2026
Women’s 57kg category (Group A): Ms. Suraswadi Yodsarn will compete at 13:30 (11:30 Thailand time).
Women’s 61kg category (Group A): Ms. Thanaporn Saetia will compete at 17:00 (15:00 Thailand time).
26 September 2026
Men’s 70kg category (Group A): Asst. Sgt. Theerawat Ratphet will compete at 13:30 (11:30 Thailand time).
Men’s 75kg category (Group A): “Wave” Sergeant Airman Veerapol Vichuma, silver medalist in the 73kg men’s category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will compete at 17:00 (15:00 Thailand time).
28 September 2026
Men’s 85kg category (Group B): Mr. Woraprot Nasurivong will compete at 10:00 (8:00 Thailand time).
29 September 2026
Women’s +86kg category (Group A): Ms. Supachanin Khamhaeng will compete at 16:20 (14:20 Thailand time).