Thai Sprint Prodigy Puripol Boonson Breaks Asian Games Record, Dreams of Olympic Gold

At ASIAD 2026, Puripol Boonson, a 20-year-old sprinter from Thailand, shocked the Asian athletics world by twice breaking the 100m men's record. He not only won gold but also set a higher goal: conquering the Olympics. On September 25, Boonson won the semifinal with a time of 9.91 seconds, breaking the ASIAD record of 9.92 seconds set by Su Bingtian (China) in 2026. Less than an hour later, in the final, he set a new milestone with 9.90 seconds, winning the gold medal. This is Thailand's third gold medal in the men's 100m at this event, and the first since Suchart in Bangkok in 2026. The time of 9.90 seconds places Boonson second in the list of fastest 100m runners in Asian history, behind only Su Bingtian with 9.83 seconds. If he had achieved this time at the World Championships in Tokyo last year, he could have finished fourth in the final. This shows the remarkable progress of the young sprinter. After crossing the finish line, Boonson performed a special celebration with both hands. "I am really happy because I just won gold and set a record," he said. "However, I was a bit nervous at the start so I still have some regrets. Still, I am very happy to bring the gold medal to Thailand." Boonson shared that when he entered the race, he tried to clear his mind and focus on reproducing what he had trained. When asked if he could consider himself "number one in Asia," the Thai athlete smiled and replied: "Perhaps you could say that. I am very happy to be considered number one in Asia. But I still have to endure tough training sessions and strive to get as close to the Asian record as possible." Boonson wants to break the Asian record currently held by Su Bingtian, but does not stop his ambitions at the continental level. "I think I have just taken another step forward," he expressed. "I will continue towards the next goal and one day want to win an Olympic gold medal." This is an ambitious statement from the 20-year-old sprinter. In addition to the 100m, Boonson is expected to compete in three other events, including the 200m and relay. He said he will consider his physical condition but aims for the highest in all events. With a strong physical foundation and determination, Boonson promises to go even further. Boonson rose to prominence at the 2026 SEA Games in Hanoi, where he won the 100m gold. A year later, at the World U20 Championships in Cali, the Thai sprinter ran 10.09 seconds in the semifinals, then the best U18 world performance, before finishing fourth in the final with 10.12 seconds. This was an important stepping stone for his career. At the 2026 Hangzhou ASIAD, Boonson ran 10.06 seconds in the semifinals and then won silver with 10.02 seconds in the final, although the time was not recognized as a record due to excessive wind. In 2026, he competed in his first Olympics, passing the 100m qualifying round in Paris with 10.13 seconds, then stopping in the semifinals with 10.14 seconds. That same year, he won silver in the 100m at the World U20 Championships in Lima with 10.22 seconds, becoming the first Thai athlete to win a medal in this event at the championships. In 2026, Boonson continued to win silver in the 100m at the Asian Championships and the World University Games. The Thai sprinter also reached the semifinals of the World Championships in Tokyo, where he ran 10.17 seconds. These results demonstrate his consistency and ability to compete internationally. The turning point came at the 2026 SEA Games, when Boonson ran 9.94 seconds, breaking the 10-second barrier for the first time and becoming the first Southeast Asian athlete to do so under legal conditions. He then won gold with 10 seconds in the final. This achievement confirmed Boonson's position as one of Asia's top sprinters. With what he has shown, Puripol Boonson is on a strong upward trajectory. The goal of winning an Olympic gold medal is no longer far-fetched. If he continues to maintain his form and improve his technique, he can certainly make history for Thai athletics in particular and Southeast Asia in general. Athletics fans in the region are eagerly looking forward to this young talent.