Poonsiri triumphs as Malaysian Eliminator champion, reinforcing his Asian title and earning points toward the Olympics.
Poonsiri Sirimongkol, a Thai national cyclist preparing for the 20th Asian Games, delivered a strong performance by winning the cross-country eliminator at the “Seoul International Mountain Bike Challenge 2026” in Malaysia. This event is part of the 2026 Asia Continental Series, where athletes earn world ranking points to vie for Olympic quotas for the 2028 Games.
General Decha Hemgrasri, Deputy Chairman of the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC), President of the ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF), and President of the Cycling Association of Thailand under Royal Patronage, revealed that Thailand sent its national mountain bike team preparing for the 20th Asian Games to compete in the “Seoul International Mountain Bike Challenge 2026” in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. This competition is part of the 2026 Asia Continental Series and includes world ranking points for the 2028 Olympic qualification. The Thai team consisted of Staff Sergeant Poonsiri Sirimongkol, Mr. Pongpira Pongayukul, Ms. Pornpak Propthang, and Ms. Pinpak Chiangsuang, led by American head coach Mr. Robert Herber Jr. with Sergeant Major Seri Ruangsiri as assistant coach.
General Decha added that on 21 August, the cross-country eliminator men's open gold medal event took place. The competition began with a time trial round, where Poonsiri, the Asian eliminator champion, recorded the sixth-best time, while Pongpira finished 11th. Both advanced to the quarterfinals and successfully moved on to the semifinals.
In the semifinal race, Poonsiri finished first while Pongpira came in second. However, officials penalized Pongpira for cutting off a Kazakhstani cyclist near the finish line, resulting in a ranking drop that unfortunately prevented him from advancing to the final.
“In the final, Poonsiri used his superior initial speed before sprinting past Malaysia's Mohammad Saialip to cross the finish line first. He claimed the cross-country eliminator championship at this Asia Continental Series event, which is crucial for earning world ranking points toward the 2028 Olympic quota. This victory proudly reaffirms his status as Asian champion,” General Decha concluded.