Thai Duo Rungroj and Chalermpong Claim World Para Table Tennis Title in Pattaya
Thai table tennis veterans Rungroj Thainiyom and Chalermpong Punpoo secured a world championship title in Pattaya, marking their first joint victory in six years.
At the ITTF World Para Table Tennis Championships 2026 held at the PEACH Convention Center in Pattaya, Chonburi, the Thai pair of Rungroj Thainiyom and Chalermpong Punpoo achieved a significant milestone. The duo, reuniting after six years, defeated the world number one French team of Clément Berthier and Esteban Herrault to win the gold medal in the men's doubles MD14 class. This victory marks their first world championship title together on home soil. The event, which also celebrates the 100th anniversary of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF), serves as a crucial platform for athletes to earn world ranking points toward qualification for the 2028 Paralympic Games in the United States. For residents and visitors in Pattaya, the tournament highlights the city's growing capacity to host major international sporting events. While the championship results are confirmed, the long-term impact on the athletes' world rankings and their final path to the 2028 Paralympics remains to be determined as the qualification cycle continues. The tournament underscores Thailand's active role in the global para-sports community.
