Thai 13-year-old jet ski racer wins Malaysia championship

Surat Thani, 29th August 2026 - A 13-year-old jet ski racer from Koh Samui, Naphat "Boat" Meedech, has triumphed at the Kundang Invitational Jet Sports Geopark Challenge 2026 held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This young athlete, a student at Saint Joseph Koh Samui School, secured first place in the 13-15 age group within the 1,100 Spark Beginner category. Boat's victory in Malaysia marks another prestigious accomplishment following his previous wins at competitions in Thailand and abroad.

Having trained rigorously for two weeks preceding the international event, Boat expressed his pride in his achievement and his determination to further hone his skills. He believes in the adage, "If you want to succeed, you have to keep practicing." Boat's sights are set on a world championship title within the 13-15-year-old Closed Course category. Despite the demanding nature of intensive training, he remains committed to putting his best foot forward.

Boat's passion for jet skiing stems from his childhood. He credits his parents, Jongrak and Sirinphorn Meedech, for their unwavering support throughout his training journey. Renowned for his love of the sport, Boat's career highlights include claiming the 13-15-year-old Closed Course category title at a jet ski competition in Laos in 2026 and finishing fifth in the world in the 1-Lap Slalom category for racers aged 8-13 at the Jet Ski King’s Cup in Pattaya, Chon Buri in 2025.

Boat's latest triumph follows in the wake of several Thai athletes gaining international recognition this year. Among them, Phuket-born young guitarist Rattikarn "Praew" Amlory, also known as Nene Royal, advanced to the semifinals of America’s Got Talent (AGT) and has received global acclaim. Additionally, Thailand's women's national volleyball team won the 2026 Asian Women’s Volleyball Championship for the fourth time, qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a landmark achievement for Thai women's volleyball.

These accomplishments of Thai athletes and young talents continue to inspire the nation, showcasing Thailand's sporting and creative prowess on the world stage.