Puripol Boonson wins Asian Games MVP on Oct 4 after 2 golds
Thailand’s Puripol Boonson targets the world stage after record-breaking 100m and 200m wins and a mixed relay silver at the Asian Games in Japan.
- Thai sprinter Puripol Boonson was named the men's Most Valuable Player (MVP) at the Asian Games on October 4.
- He earned the award after winning two gold medals in the 100m and 200m events, setting new Games records in both races.
- In addition to his two golds, Boonson also helped Thailand secure a silver medal in the mixed 4x100m relay.
- As part of the honor, he received a trophy and a prize-money cheque from the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA).
Thailand’s Puripol “Bew” Boonson received the men’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games in Japan on Sunday, October 4, following two gold medals, two Games records and a relay silver.
Puripol, who holds the rank of police lance corporal, won the 100m and 200m titles in Games-record times and helped Thailand secure silver in the mixed 4x100m relay.
Puripol targets world stage after sprint double
Puripol described the award as an honour for his family, Thailand and the Athletic Association of Thailand, while expressing his determination to compete successfully on the world stage.
“This award is an honour for me, my family, the athletics association and Thailand,” Puripol said. “Asian runners have shown that we can match anyone in the world, and I will take the Thai flag onto the world stage.”
Puripol said returning to Nagoya to receive the award was a source of pride.
“I am delighted and deeply honoured to return to Nagoya as the outstanding athlete of these Games,” Puripol said. “I would like to thank the committee, the president of the athletics association, my family, my coach, and Thai and Asian athletics fans who have always supported me.”
Puripol also pledged to maintain his commitment to training and development.
“I will keep training hard and improving so I can help take Asian athletics to the world stage and bring honour to Thailand,” Puripol said.
Yu Zidi wins women’s award after three golds
Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi, 13, received the women’s MVP award after winning three gold medals and breaking an Asian record at the Aichi-Nagoya Games.
OCA presents Puripol with trophy and prize cheque
Puripol received a trophy and prize-money cheque from Vinod Kumar Tiwari, deputy director general of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), at the awards press conference. The event began at 11.30am Japan time at the media centre in Hall 3 of Port Messe Nagoya, with OCA representatives attending.
The Nagoya ceremony opened with a video explaining the athlete nomination process. Tayyab Ikram, chairman of the OCA’s Asian Games MVP awards selection panel, explained the selection criteria and announced the winners.
A video showcasing Puripol’s Asian Games performances was also screened during the event, followed by questions about his reaction to receiving the award. OCA officials presented Puripol with a commemorative gift after the press conference.
The Asian Games MVP award was introduced at the 1998 Games in Bangkok. The OCA describes the honour as an established tradition whose previous recipients can stand alongside the world’s leading athletes.
The Athletic Association of Thailand, under royal patronage and led by president Pol Gen Chakthip Chaijinda, congratulated Puripol and thanked the entire national athletics team for its performances and for bringing pride to Thailand.
