After waiting 22 years, Mia Millar won a historic gold medal for Thailand's swimming team at SEA Games 2025.
On 12 Dec 2025 GMT+7, 18-year-old Mia Millar, a Thai-New Zealand mixed heritage swimmer and 2025 Asian Championships bronze medalist, competed in the women's 200-meter breaststroke at SEA Games 2025 held at the Sports Authority of Thailand swimming pool.
Mia Millar did not disappoint the Thai fans, touching the wall first with a time of 2:13.95, breaking her own Thai national record of 2:15.52, and securing the second gold medal for Thailand's swimming team at this SEA Games.
This also reclaimed the women's 200-meter breaststroke gold for Thailand in SEA Games after 22 years, the last time achieved by “Mermaid O” Chonlathorn Worathamrong, who won at the 22nd SEA Games in Vietnam in 2003.
The silver medal went to Senti Chua, the defending champion from the Philippines and SEA Games record holder, with a time of 2:15.73. The bronze was won by Adelia Chantika Olea from Indonesia with 2:16.39.
Additionally, “Mermaid Noi” Kamonnachok Kwanmuang earned a silver medal in the women's 400-meter freestyle with a time of 4:13.56. This was her third medal at these SEA Games, having previously won one gold and one silver. The gold in this event went to Qing Hui Gan from Singapore with 4:11.88, and the bronze to Thi My Tien Vo from Vietnam with 4:17.39.
Mia said she was very happy and never imagined she could achieve this. She was especially glad to win her first SEA Games gold in front of Thai fans cheering at home. Since training in Kunming, China, she and her coach had focused on the 200-meter breaststroke as her strongest event with the best chance for gold. She intends to continue improving and hopes to be as skilled as senior swimmer Chonlathorn.
“Mermaid O” Chonlathorn Worathamrong, former national team swimmer, revealed, “Before the competition, I spoke with Mia about her readiness. She was very prepared, and training in Kunming with good times boosted her confidence.”
“Coach Yutthana Kultan from Sing Swimming Club was quite confident Mia would win SEA Games gold. Personally, I had been waiting a long time for a female swimmer to reclaim the breaststroke gold after me. Today, I am very happy that a Thai swimmer has done it again—Mia.”
“I cheered her on via video call during the race and was deeply moved to see a Thai athlete succeed. Congratulations to Mia, and I hope she will go even further. I will always support her.”
After three days of competition at SEA Games 2025, the Thai swimming team has won 2 gold medals, 3 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals.
