Thai Equestrian Team Wins Asian Games Gold After 28 Years, Individual Silver

The Thai equestrian eventing team has achieved a historic feat, clinching the team gold medal at the Asian Games for the first time in 28 years. The individual competition saw an emerging Thai rider secure a silver medal. The equestrian eventing competition of the 20th Asian Games was held in Tokyo, Japan, on September 23rd. Two gold medals were up for grabs in the team and individual events. At the previous 19th Asian Games, the Thai team had secured one silver medal in the individual event through Korrawat Samran and a bronze medal in the team event. This year, the Thai contingent included Korrawat Samran, along with Major Suparb Kaewngam, Woraprat Chitchu, and Weerapat Pitakkanon. Eventing competitions consist of three disciplines: dressage, show jumping, and cross-country, with the lowest penalty score winning. On the first day (September 22nd), after the dressage and show jumping events, Woraprat Chitchu, a newcomer to the national team, ranked second with a total penalty score of 30.10. Hua Tian of China led the standings with 26.90 points, followed by Japan's Murata in third place with 30.40 points. In the team standings after two events, Thailand was in third place with a combined penalty score of 109.90. Japan led with 97.30 points, and Hong Kong was second with 109.40 points. The competition culminated in the cross-country event. The Thai riders were sent off early in the order. After all four members completed the course without incurring any penalties, the Thai team's total score remained at 109.90, placing them in the lead. The final outcome depended on the performances of South Korea and Japan. However, both teams struggled in the cross-country phase. Consequently, the gold medal was awarded to the Thai team for achieving the lowest penalty score of 109.90. This marks Thailand's first team gold in eventing at the Asian Games since the 13th edition in 1998, when Thailand hosted the event. Japan secured the silver medal with 115.20 points, and South Korea took the bronze with 140.50 points. In the individual competition, Woraprat Chitchu, who had accumulated 30.10 penalty points from the first two events, delivered a flawless cross-country performance. He finished the three events with a total of 30.10 penalty points, temporarily holding the top position. However, the final rider, Hua Tian (China), who started last, maintained his pace without incurring penalties, securing the gold medal with a total of 26.90 penalty points. Woraprat Chitchu claimed the silver medal with 31.10 points, and Japan's Yoshiyuki Okawa secured the bronze with 31.70 points.