Thailand top Asian Para Games podium in team sabre

In the absence of the defending champions and hosts, Yuenyong Khanthithao, Chitiphat Charoenta and Boonsiri Sanitmuanwai faced Hong Kong in the final.

They controlled the match throughout, carving out a lead that protected them from a late surge from Wing Kin Chan who landed an impressive 17 touches against Khanthithao in the final round.

The win places them in a position to impress at their upcoming home World Cup, which will be held as part of the World Abilitysport Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, in December.

“With our team reaching the final, I think we did a good job today,” reserve Pipat Thongjapo said. “Having trained for more than a year, we have prepared well, so we are confident about the competition. We are happy and satisfied with our performance.”

Yuen Hing Kwon and Sean Glass completed the Hong Kong team who stepped onto the second podium spot.

Eunhwan Ryu, Jinsol Lee and Gunwan Kim secured bronze for South Korea.

The win in the men’s sabre was Thailand’s first gold of the competition and propelled them to second place in the medals table behind China, who did not leave the piste empty handed on Tuesday.

Their women’s foil team was poised from the outset to capitalise on their sweep of golds from the individual competition on Monday.

Headlined by Haiyan Gu and Xiao Rong – the respective champions from yesterday’s women’s foil category A and B – the pair were joined by Yuandong Chen, who had faced Gu for gold 24 hours before.

This time everyone was working together as the Paralympic, world and defending title holders swept Hong Kong aside.

Lam Ka Man, Yu Chui Yee and Chung Yuen Ping took silver.

In the bronze medal match, Thailand grabbed their second medal of the day against South Korea.

Wheelchair fencing legend Saysunee Jana, Thitirat Pengprassitipong and Aphinya Thongdaeng joined forces to secure third place with a score of 45-20.

Wheelchair fencing at the Asian Para Games continues until Friday (28 October) and features individual competition in the men’s and women’s foil, epee and sabre category A and B and team events in all three weapons.

The competition acts as the 2023 Asian Championships and offers crucial qualification points for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

On Wednesday (25 October), individual competitions return with titles up for grabs in the men’s foil and women’s epee category A and B.

Full results are available at the Hangzhou 2023 website.