Taekwondo aims to strike the first blow

In the high-stakes world of Southeast Asian sport, only a few disciplines carry the weight of national pride quite like taekwondo.

- HANIF HASSAN

Sirawit Mahamad, left, of Thailand in action at the 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge.

With the 2025 SEA Games looming, Thailand’s top officials made a series of bold, calculated decisions — choices that spoke not only to tactical foresight but to a deeper ambition: to reaffirm the Kingdom's dominance in the regional martial arts arena.

The Taekwondo Association of Thailand (TAT), under the stewardship of Pimol Srivikorn, opted to sideline its most decorated athletes from the Bangkok 2025 World Taekwondo Grand Prix Challenge — a move that raised eyebrows but underscored a singular mission: gold at the SEA Games.

Held from Nov 21-24, the Grand Prix was one of the largest taekwondo events ever staged in Thailand, drawing elite competitors from across the globe.

Yet conspicuously absent from the host nation’s lineup were three of its brightest medal prospects: Banlung Tubtimdang, Phannapa Harnsujin, and Sasikarn Thongchan. The trio, all earmarked for SEA Games glory, were withheld from competition to preserve their form and focus.