Thai athlete books first-ever Olympic kayak berth

The 26-year-old finished second in the men’s kayak slalom in the recent Asian Canoeing Championships in Sichuan, China, giving the Rowing and Canoeing Association of Thailand their first-ever Olympic berth in kayaking.

“We sent six Thai athletes to the Asian meet, which ended on Monday, but only Ludwig made it through. The championships served as the Asian Olympic qualification tournament,” said Captain Parat Rattanachiayaphan, the RCAT’s assistant general secretary.

“This marks the first time in our history that a Thai kayaker will compete at the Olympics. We plan to send him to England beforehand to prepare. The Games organisers have given competitors the green light to sharpen their skills at the venue. By training at the actual competing venue, Ludwig can get acquainted with local conditions. Last year, he finished fourth in the Guangzhou Asian Games and he now carries the RCAT’s medal hopes at the Olympics.”

Ludwig, who is training under a Slovenian coach, becomes the 19th Thai athlete to qualify for the next year’s London Olympics. He joins one athlete each from archery, athletics and skeet & trap shooting, two swimmers, three each from the boxing and taekwondo associations and seven weightlifters.