Thailand’s BMX riders delivered a statement of intent for the forthcoming Asian Games in Nagoya, with the Nakpaen brothers claiming gold and silver at the Asian Championships in Malaysia.
The result underlines the nation’s growing strength in cycling disciplines and offers a timely boost to preparations for the continent’s showpiece sporting event.
Putthaphum Nakpaen, riding in the men’s U23 category, produced a flawless run in Nilai on Saturday, leading from the gate to the finish to secure gold.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/3299127/thai-siblings-strike-gold-silver. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. His younger brother, Phumjaithai, followed suit with silver in the junior men’s race, ensuring the Thai flag was prominent on the podium. Japan and China took the remaining medals in the U23 event, while Korea joined Japan in the junior men’s top three.
The Thai camp hailed the performance as a breakthrough.
Please credit and share this article with others using this link: https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/3299127/thai-siblings-strike-gold-silver. View our policies at http://goo.gl/9HgTd and http://goo.gl/ou6Ip. © Bangkok Post PCL. All rights reserved. General Decha Hemkrasri, vice-president of the Asian Cycling Confederation and president of the Thai Cycling Association, was in attendance and praised the brothers’ composure under pressure.
“This is the level we must sustain heading into the Asian Games,” he said, stressing that medal targets in Nagoya remain firmly in sight.
There was frustration, however, for Komet Sukprasert in the elite men’s race. After impressing in the heats, he was squeezed off line by Filipino rider Patrick Bren Coo in the final, slipping to fifth.
Head coach Harvey Kreps admitted the incident was costly but insisted Komet’s times in earlier motos showed he can compete with Asia’s best.
“He was faster than Japan’s Asuma Nakai, who won gold here. With tactical refinement, Kometh can challenge for medals in Nagoya,” Kreps said.
Thailand’s women BMX riders also showed promise. Chutikan Kitwanitsathian finished sixth in the elite women’s race, while Hathaipech Jaisawang placed fourth in the U23 category.
Kreps noted that while Thai riders are competitive within Asean, bridging the gap to Japan, Korea and China remains the challenge.