Puripol set for historic OCA MVP honour after 2 golds at 2026 Asian Games
Thailand’s Puripol Boonson is due to collect a US$25,000 Asian Games award in Japan on October 4 after two sprint golds and a relay silver.
- Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson has been selected as the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Asian Games.
- The award follows his performance of winning two gold medals in the 100m and 200m sprints, and a silver in the mixed 4x100m relay.
- He set new Asian Games records in both of his gold medal victories, running the 100m in 9.90 seconds and the 200m in 19.88 seconds.
- Puripol is the first athlete from Thailand and Southeast Asia to receive the men's MVP honor since its introduction in 1998.
Thai sprinter Puripol “Bew” Boonson has been selected as the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Puripol is due to receive the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) award on October 4, 2026, following two gold medals and a silver.
The selection would make Puripol the first athlete from Thailand and Southeast Asia to receive the honour, and only the second from athletics. Those milestones are consistent with the OCA’s published list of previous winners, which dates back to the award’s introduction at the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998.
Puripol sets Games records in both sprint finals
- Men’s 100m gold: Puripol clocked 9.90 seconds to set an Asian Games record and become Thailand’s first champion in the event in 48 years.
- Men’s 200m gold: Puripol won the title in 19.88 seconds, setting another Asian Games record, equalling the Asian record and becoming the first Thai to run under 20 seconds over the distance.
- Mixed 4×100m relay silver: Puripol helped Thailand finish second in 40.87 seconds, adding a team medal to his individual sprint double.
Puripol due back in Japan for October 4 presentation
Puripol, who holds the rank of police lance corporal, is scheduled to return to Japan to receive the award in person on October 4.
The men’s MVP award carries US$25,000, approximately 830,000 baht.
