Puripol wins Asian Games MVP, a historic first for Thailand

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) presented the 2026 Asian Games Most Valuable Player award to Thai sprint star Puripol “Biew” Boonson on 4 October at the media centre in Nagoya.

Puripol received the award for his outstanding performances on the track, winning two gold medals in the men’s 100 metres and 200 metres while breaking the Asian Games record in both events. He also won silver in the mixed 4×100-metre relay.

The women’s MVP award went to 13-year-old Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi.

The 2026 Asian Games MVP winners received a trophy and US$25,000 in prize money, worth about 840,000 baht.

“This award is an honour for me and my family, as well as an honour for Thailand,” Puripol said. “Today, Asian sprinters have proved that we are second to none in the world, and I will take the Thai flag to the world stage.”

“I am very happy and deeply honoured to return to Nagoya as the outstanding athlete of these Games. I would like to thank the committee, the president of the Athletics Association, my family, my coaches, as well as Thai and Asian sports fans who have always supported me.

“I will continue to train hard and improve myself so that I can help take Asian athletics to the world stage and bring recognition to Thailand. Thank you.”

Puripol is the first Thai athlete to receive the award and only the second track and field athlete to win it, following Japan’s Koji Ito, who received the same honour at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.