Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson claimed the men’s MVP award at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on October 4, 2026, after winning two gold medals and breaking meet records. Thailand finished the Games in seventh place with 52 total medals, surpassing its official target.
The twentieth Asian Games drew to a close in Japan as Puripol Boonson stepped up to receive the men’s Most Valuable Player honor at the main press center in Nagoya. The 20-year-old Thai sprinter shone on the track by dominating both short-sprint distances and anchoring relay efforts, securing recognition from the Olympic Council of Asia at the conclusion of the regional sports festival.
Prior to his appearance at the media center, the athlete traveled from Suvarnabhumi Airport wearing a formal suit. He subsequently joined the delegation of Thai athletes participating in the closing ceremonies.
Beyond individual accolades, the broader delegation achieved a milestone performance that exceeded expectations set by sports authorities prior to the competition. Thai athletes secured 18 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 21 bronze medals, accumulating 52 podium finishes overall to place seventh in the continental standings.
Puripol Boonson Makes History as Asian Games MVP
He also added a silver medal as part of the mixed 4×100-meter relay team.
The achievement marks a historic first for the nation and the wider Southeast Asian region. The Olympic Council of Asia chose the Thai runner for the male MVP title, making him only the second track and field athlete from Asia to win the prize since its inception at the 1998 Bangkok Games.
Along with the trophy, the sprinter collected a cash prize of 25,000 dollars, which translates to roughly 837,500 baht.
Thailand Exceeds Medal Projections in Nagoya
The Sports Authority of Thailand had established a conservative benchmark of 15 gold medals ahead of the international competition. The delegation surpassed that internal projection by collecting 18 golds within the 52 total podium finishes.
Commentators noted that outside of the 1998 home games where Thailand competed with the advantage of hosting, the 2026 performance stands as the most successful overseas campaign in the country’s multi-sport history.
| Medal Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Gold Medals | 18 |
| Silver Medals | 13 |
| Bronze Medals | 21 |
| Total Medals | 52 |
Thai Sprinter Resumes Training After Aichi-Nagoya MVP Selection
As the Aichi-Nagoya meet concluded, athletes participated in the closing events before returning home. The top sprinter learned of his MVP selection only after arriving back in Thailand, expressing pride not just for his own records but for supporters nationwide.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, the competitor noted that his actual times on the track exceeded his personal dreams and initial targets. Looking toward subsequent competitions, he stated that he must return to more intense training and intends to resume rigorous conditioning drills immediately to maintain competitive form for upcoming international tracks.