Banlung Tubtimdang wins second Asian Games gold
Prachuap Khiri Khan province has congratulated “Yu” Banlung Tubtimdang after the Pranburi-born athlete won taekwondo gold in the men’s 68kg category at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
The 21-year-old, a former pupil at Salesian School in central Hua Hin, defeated an Iranian opponent 2–0 in rounds in the final at Aichi-Nagoya on Saturday, 3 October.
Banlung won a closely contested opening round 6–5. Trailing 2–0 in the second, he landed a head kick in the final 15 seconds to secure a 3–2 round victory and the gold medal.
His victory delivered Thailand’s 18th gold medal of the Games and made him a champion at two consecutive editions, competing in different weight categories.
In its congratulatory message, the province praised his commitment to training and recognised the contribution of his coaching team to Thailand’s international success.
Banlung Tubtimdang’s international record
Banlung won his first Asian Games gold in the men’s 63kg category at the Hangzhou Games in China. Officially the 2022 edition, the competition was held in 2023 following a postponement.
He also took silver in the men’s 63kg category at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan.
In October 2025, he won the men’s 68kg world title in Wuxi, China, becoming Thailand’s sixth taekwondo world champion and the second Thai man to achieve the distinction.