The Asian Balance Bike Championship opened with great fanfare. Dr. Phairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of ThaiHealth, highlighted its role in promoting children's health and development. Dato Amarjit recognized Thailand as a model for nurturing youth towards the future.
The Asian Balance Bike 2026, a balance bike cycling championship for young children, launched spectacularly. Dr. Phairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of the Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), praised the Thai Cycling Association and the Asian Cycling Confederation (ACC) for organizing the first-ever event in Asia's history. He noted the event promotes children's health, life skills development, family bonding, and reduces risk factors among children and youth. Meanwhile, Dato Amarjit Singh, ACC President, commended General Decha Hemkrasri, President of the Thai Cycling Association, for initiating this youth-level competition to lay a foundation for future development of Asian cycling athletes.
The Asian Balance Bike 2026 Presented by BATAC took place on 6-7 June 2026 at Island Hall, 3rd Floor, Fashion Island Shopping Mall, Ram Inthra Road, Bangkok. The opening ceremony on 6 June was chaired by Dr. Phairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of ThaiHealth. Also attending were Dato Amarjit Singh, ACC President; General Decha Hemkrasri, ACC Vice President, ASEAN Cycling Federation (ACF) President, and President of the Thai Cycling Association under Royal Patronage; Ms. Niramol Rasri, Director of the Office for Healthy Lifestyle Promotion at ThaiHealth; and executives of the Thai Cycling Association.
After the opening, Dr. Phairoj Saonuam, Deputy Manager of ThaiHealth, revealed that the first Asian Balance Bike 2026 event created a lively atmosphere with hundreds of athletes and parents from eight countries participating. He called it a historic first for Asia, promoting children's sports participation, which benefits their health, discipline, and social skills development. It also fosters family interaction and reduces risk factors such as drug and e-cigarette use, which were part of the campaign. He thanked the Thai Cycling Association and the ACC for hosting the event to encourage children to love health through sports.
Dato Amarjit Singh, ACC President, praised General Decha Hemkrasri for his visionary leadership in organizing the Asian Balance Bike 2026 to develop competitions for young children, focusing not only on excellence or professional levels but also on the importance of child development toward higher-level competitions in Asia. On behalf of the ACC, he welcomed all athletes and parents from Thailand and other countries who contributed to making the event happen, and thanked General Decha for being the driving force behind its success.
Mr. Ronachai Lantaow, parent of young athlete Panwanat Lantaow, expressed his happiness to be part of Thailand’s efforts in child development. He said that his son's involvement in balance bike cycling has enhanced his development and potential in all areas, including self-care and responsibility. His older child started first, and the younger followed, both training daily for nearly two years. Besides health benefits, the children learn social skills, sometimes leading friends in running and other times following. Children can start balance biking from as young as one and a half years old. Playing makes them feel free and happy, and importantly, it forms a foundation for progressing to other cycling sports in the future.
The championship on 6 June featured competitors from eight countries: China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. The event was broadcast live on the Thailand Cycling Association's Facebook Live and YouTube channel (TCA Channel), attracting over 9,000 viewers. The key race results are as follows.
In the 2-year-old boys category, Wachirathon Sukkit took the Asian championship title, followed by Puriphath Ruangsri in second place and Thanawan Wongputhisiri in third. In the 2-year-old girls category, Panyaratch Suetrong won the Asian championship, with Alavie Sukgri second and Anyarin Khuntan third.
In the 3-year-old boys category, Chanattham Kittithammathorn won the Asian championship, followed by Kawin Kulprasert in second place and Tarin Chaiwong third. For 3-year-old girls, Thitichaya Jamroengkul secured first place, Rachineekorn Detphrom second, and Naphatchanan Patmakulchai third.
In the 4-year-old boys category, Korrakorn Thanapornmongkol won the Asian championship, with Prachwin Kongthaworn second and Parin Surakhan third. For 4-year-old girls, Yani Somjitwaree took first place, Pawikorn Liangsarerojkul second, and Kawinthada Nachaichot third. Full results are available on the Thai Cycling Association website at www.thaicycling.or.th.
The Asian Balance Bike 2026 Presented by BATAC continued on 7 June 2026 at Island Hall, 3rd Floor, Fashion Island Shopping Mall, with the Challenge level competition starting at 09:00. The event was broadcast live on the Thailand Cycling Association's Facebook Live and YouTube channel (TCA Channel) throughout the competition.