Sport
Kieran Tuntivate Excluded from 2026 Asian Games Squad
Thai-American long-distance runner Kieran Tuntivate will not compete in the 2026 Asian Games as he shifts his focus toward marathon training.
According to a report by Khaosod Online Thailand, the Athletics Association of Thailand has released its roster for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, revealing that Thailand will not field any athletes in long-distance running events. Notably absent from the list is Kieran Tuntivate, the Thai-American athlete who secured three gold medals at the 33rd SEA Games in the 1,500m, 5,000m, and 10,000m races.
Police Major General Surapong Ariyamongkol, senior vice president and secretary-general of the Athletics Association of Thailand, clarified that Tuntivate will no longer compete in these specific track distances. This decision applies not only to the upcoming Asian Games but also to the 34th SEA Games scheduled for next year in Malaysia. The association noted that Tuntivate informed them of his decision in June, explaining that he is transitioning his training focus entirely toward the 42.195-kilometer marathon distance.
For sports enthusiasts and residents in Thailand, this marks a significant shift in the national athletics landscape, as Tuntivate has been a prominent figure in regional track events. While his absence from the track is confirmed, it remains to be seen which specific international marathon events he will target as he begins this new chapter of his professional career.