Sport
Thai Athlete Wins Gold at 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships
70-year-old Pornlert Akkapreecha secured a gold medal in the long jump at the World Masters Athletics Championships in Daegu.
On August 28, 2026, during the sixth day of the 2026 World Masters Athletics Championships held in Daegu, South Korea, Thai athlete Pornlert Akkapreecha achieved a significant victory. Competing in the men’s 70-74 age category long jump, the 70-year-old secured the gold medal with a jump of 4.68 meters. According to Khaosod Online Thailand, the competition was extremely close, with Akkapreecha narrowly defeating Japanese competitor Yukitoshi Isaka by a margin of just 0.02 meters. Bertil Jungqvist from Sweden took the third-place spot.
This event, which runs from August 22 to September 3, 2026, features a delegation of 48 Thai senior athletes. For residents and travelers interested in sports, this performance highlights the ongoing success of Thailand’s senior athletic program on the global stage. While this victory is confirmed, the overall final medal tally for the Thai delegation remains to be determined as the championships continue through early September. This achievement serves as a point of national pride and demonstrates the high level of competitive spirit among Thailand's senior sports community.