Puripol wins Thailand’s first Asian Games 100m gold in 48 years

NAGOYA, Japan — Thailand’s sprint star Puripol Boonson won the men’s 100m gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games on 25 September, clocking 9.90 seconds and breaking the Asian Games record for the second time in one day.

Puripol had set a new Asian Games record of 9.91 seconds in the semi-finals earlier in the day. He improved the mark again in the final, crossing the finish line first in 9.90 seconds.

Oman’s Ali Al Balushi won silver in 10.04 seconds, while Malham Al Balushi, also from Oman, took bronze in 10.11 seconds.

Puripol becomes only the third Thai athlete to win the men’s 100m gold at the Asian Games.

He follows Anan Rattanapol, who won gold at the 1974 Asian Games in Iran, and Suchart Jaesuraphap, who won the event at the 1978 Asian Games in Bangkok.

Puripol’s victory ends Thailand’s 48 year wait for the Asian Games men’s 100m gold.