The Thai team is focusing on quality as it heads to the 20th Asian Games in Japan, selecting athletes primarily through qualification systems for each sport and world rankings. The Sports Authority of Thailand (TAT) and sports associations have set a target of winning no fewer than 15 gold medals.
Updates on the Thai national athletes preparing for the 20th Asian Games, scheduled from 19 September to 4 October 2026 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, reveal that Dr. Kongsak Yodmanee, Governor of the Sports Authority of Thailand (TAT), stated that TAT has finalized training camp plans and budget frameworks in collaboration with the National Sports Development Fund to assemble the best team and optimize budget use.
The Thai national athletes for the Asian Games are a quality group, having been rigorously selected through qualification systems for each sport, with some sports also using world rankings as a key consideration. The shared goal of TAT and sports associations is to secure at least 15 gold medals from 11 focus sports: Sepak Takraw, Teqball, Boxing, Athletics, Taekwondo, Sailing, Weightlifting, Golf, Badminton, Jujitsu, and eSports.
“TAT’s athlete selection criteria are divided into two parts: athletes who have qualified or have world rankings, representing the medal hopefuls likely to place in the top 3, and athletes with potential to advance to the Olympic Games,” Dr. Kongsak said.
At the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China, in 2023, the Thai team won 12 gold, 14 silver, and 32 bronze medals, ranking 8th in the overall medal table.