Bangkok: “Nong Love” Kantharat Chuchai, a notable athlete of the Thai national petanque team, has come back to Thailand after achieving a significant victory as the world champion in the petanque shooting event. Her focus is now set on securing a gold medal at the upcoming SEA Games.
According to Thai News Agency, the Thai national petanque team received a warm welcome from General Mangkorn Kosintharasenee, Chairman of the Petanque Sports Authority of Thailand. The team recently competed at the 2025 Petanque 3-person Team World Championship in France, where they secured a gold medal. This triumph was led by Kantharat Chuchai, who made history by becoming the second Thai female petanque player to clinch the women’s world shooting championship in 21 years, following the footsteps of Thongsee Tamakhot in 2004. Additionally, the team earned a silver medal in the 3-person team world championship. This achievement follows their earlier success at the 2025 Petanque World Championship in Italy in September, where the Thai women’s team captured three gold medals and one bronze in various events.
Building on these accomplishments, Kantharat Chuchai, the current world shooting champion, is optimistic about the Thai national team’s prospects at the SEA Games later this year. Despite previous challenges faced by the Thai petanque community, which resulted in a ban from the International Petanque Federation, the team remains determined to achieve further success.