Thai athletics prodigy Puripol Boonson has set his sights on an Olympic gold medal after a stellar performance at the 2026 ASIAD in Nagoya, Japan. The 20-year-old runner twice broke the men's 100m record on 25/9, solidifying his position as a rising star.

In the 100m men's semi-final, Boonson clinched first place with 9.91 seconds, surpassing the previous ASIAD record of 9.92 seconds set by China's Su Bingtian in 2018. Less than an hour later, in the final, the Thai athlete further improved his mark, clocking 9.90 seconds.

This remarkable achievement makes Boonson the third Thai athlete to win a men's 100m gold medal at the Games, and the first since Suchart's victory in Bangkok in 1978. His time of 9.90 seconds also places him second on the list of fastest 100m runners in Asian history, trailing only Su Bingtian's 9.83 seconds. To put this into perspective, a 9.90-second run at last year's world championships in Tokyo would have placed him fourth in the final.

Thai athlete Puripol Boonson competing in the men's 100m final at ASIAD 2026, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium, Nagoya, Japan on 25/9. Photo: AP

After crossing the finish line, Boonson celebrated with a distinctive two-handed gesture. "I am truly happy because I won the gold medal and set a new record," the 20-year-old runner said after the race. "However, I was a bit tense at the start, so there's still a slight regret. Nevertheless, I am very pleased to bring a gold medal home to Thailand."

Boonson shared that he focused on replicating his training during the race, clearing his mind of distractions. When asked if he considered himself "Asia's number one", the Thai athlete smiled and responded: "Perhaps you could say that. I would be very happy to be considered Asia's number one. But I still have to endure rigorous training sessions and strive to get as close to the Asian record as possible."

Boonson's ambition extends beyond breaking Su Bingtian's Asian record. "I think I've just taken another step forward," he expressed. "I will continue to work towards my next goal and someday want to win an Olympic gold medal."

Beyond the 100m, Boonson is also slated to compete in three other events, including the 200m and relays. He plans to assess his physical condition but aims for the highest goal in all disciplines.

Puripol Boonson's journey of improving 100m performance. Graphic: Hong Duy (AI assisted)

Boonson first gained prominence at the 2021 SEA Games in Hanoi, where he secured a 100m gold medal. A year later, at the World U20 Championships in Cali, the Thai runner clocked 10.09 seconds in the semi-finals, then the world's best performance for the U18 age group, before finishing fourth in the final with 10.12 seconds.

At the 2023 Hangzhou ASIAD, Boonson ran 10.06 seconds in the semi-finals and earned a silver medal with 10.02 seconds in the final, though the time was not recognized as a record due to excessive wind assistance. In 2024, he made his Olympic debut, qualifying for the 100m in Paris with 10.13 seconds, but did not advance past the semi-finals, clocking 10.14 seconds. In the same year, he won a silver medal in the 100m at the World U20 Championships in Lima with 10.22 seconds, becoming the first Thai athlete to medal in this event at the championships.

In 2025, Boonson continued his success, securing silver medals in the 100m at both the Asian Championships and the World University Games. The Thai runner also reached the semi-finals of the world championships in Tokyo, where he achieved 10.17 seconds.

A significant turning point came at the 2025 SEA Games. Boonson ran 9.94 seconds, breaking the 10-second barrier for the first time and becoming the first Southeast Asian athlete to achieve this under valid conditions. He subsequently won a gold medal with 10 seconds in the final.

Hong Duy