Sport
Thai Teenager Norton Thitaphat Challenges World No. 1 at Asian Games
16-year-old Thai table tennis player Norton Thitaphat Preechayan put up a spirited performance against world number one Wang Chuqin in the Asian Games round of 32.
On September 25, 2026, at the Sky Hall Toyota, 16-year-old Thai table tennis talent Norton Thitaphat Preechayan faced a formidable challenge in the round of 32 at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. Competing in the men's singles category, Norton went head-to-head against China’s Wang Chuqin, the reigning Olympic champion and current world number one.
According to Khaosod Online, the young Thai athlete demonstrated remarkable composure, securing the first game with a score of 11-3. While Wang Chuqin responded by taking the next two games 11-6 and 11-4, Norton fought back in the fourth game to win 11-8, leveling the match at 2-2. The intense encounter highlighted the rising potential of Thai youth in international sports.
For residents and visitors in Japan, this match served as a notable display of high-level athletic competition. While Norton was eventually defeated, his ability to push the world’s top-ranked player to a fifth game has drawn significant attention from the sporting community. Details regarding the final score of the deciding game and the subsequent progression of the tournament bracket remain to be confirmed through official Asian Games reporting. This performance marks a significant milestone for the young athlete on the continental stage.
