Asian Games: South Korea volleyball team latest to be taken to wrong venue
Transporting athletes to the wrong location has emerged as a recurring issue at the Asian Games in Japan.
NAGOYA, Japan — On September 29, 2026, Thailand secured the men's team gold medal in sepak takraw at the 20th Asian Games. The final took place at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Gymnasium, with Thailand defeating Malaysia 2-0. The defending champions, comprising Thanaphon Sap-yen, Kritsanaphong Nontakot, and Wuttinan Kamsanoh, outperformed Malaysia's Aslan Elias, Aswawi Idil Aiman, and Mohamed Rosdi.
Kritsanaphong's serves targeted Malaysia's front-right area, establishing early control. Thailand's defense remained unyielding, and Thanaphon delivered powerful attacks. Despite Razak Zulkifli's substitution for Rosdi, Malaysia struggled to make an impact with his serves. Thailand dominated from the start, securing the first set 15-9.
They opened the second set with a rapid 4-0 lead, aided by Thanaphon's blocks. With Malaysia leveling at 5-5, Thailand regained control. Pornthep Thinbangbon replaced Thanaphon as server, while Thanaphon continued with powerful smashes and soft touches. Capitalizing on Malaysia's errors, Thailand clinched the set 15-8, claiming the gold medal.
This victory marked Thailand's seventh Asian Games men's team title, a record surpassed only by their previous golds in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The men's team event was omitted in 2018 due to competition regulations. This gold medal elevates Thailand to the 10th position in the 2026 Asian Games. Under the National Sports Development Fund's current reward criteria, each gold medal per athlete earns a prize of 2 million baht, totaling 10 million baht for the five athletes.
Thailand will pursue another opportunity to add a sepak takraw gold medal in the women's four-player team event.
Written by urgent.news from Khaosod English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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