Fencing queen and wheelchair racer selected as Thai flag bearers
Thai wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana and wheelchair racer Athiwat Paengnuea were chosen as the flag bearers for the Thai contingent at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which kicked off yesterday, August 28.
With 79 athletes competing in 15 sports, Thailand is gearing up for its 11th appearance at the Paralympic Games. This year, the honour of leading the team falls to Saysunee, a 50 year old fencing legend from Chiang Mai. Also known as Waew, she has earned the title of World Fencing Queen thanks to her remarkable achievements.
Saysunee boasts a gold and a bronze medal from the 2004 Athens Paralympics, and another bronze from the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, alongside numerous other accolades. Her talent and dedication have also earned her the title of Outstanding Athlete with a Disability in 2008 and the Female Outstanding Athlete with a Disability award on National Sports Day in 2010.
Joining her in this honourable role is 22 year old Athiwat Paengnuea, a rising star in wheelchair racing from Sakhon Nakhon. Athiwat dazzled the world at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, securing a gold medal in the 100 metres and a silver in the T54 400 metres. His impressive performances have cemented his status as one of Thailand’s most promising athletes.
The opening ceremony promised to be a spectacular event, with a grand parade down the iconic Champs-Elysées, culminating at Place de la Concorde. Athletes from 184 delegations worldwide marched alongside Saysunee and Athiwat, showcasing the spirit of the Paralympics in a celebration featuring 6,000 athletes and officials, reported Thai PBS World.
In related news, Thailand erupted with joy as taekwondo star Panipak Wongpattanakit delivered a stunning victory, securing her country’s first Olympic gold medal by defending her title in the taekwondo women’s flyweight division against China’s Guo Qing.
In other news, in a night of electrifying action at the Paris Olympics, Thai weightlifters Theerapong Silachai and Surodchana Khambao delivered standout performances, clinching silver and bronze medals, respectively.
