Thai Shooter's Mother Alleges Unfair Asian Games Selection
A Thai Olympic shooter's mother alleges the Shooting Association unfairly excluded her son from Asian Games selection by changing qualification criteria after he finished second in trials.
Captain Isaranudom Phuriharanphat's mother filed a formal complaint with Sports Minister Surasak Phandcharoenvorakul on July 13, alleging that the Thai Shooting Association deliberately excluded her son from the Asian Games despite his qualification. She stated that in the selection competition, her son finished second and should have been selected under existing rules allowing two athletes, but the association changed the criteria to a point-based system after learning of his qualification. The mother said her complaint to the Thailand Sports Authority was not properly addressed.
Sports Minister Surasak acknowledged that multiple sports associations face similar complaints and pledged fair treatment for all parties. He instructed the Thailand Sports Authority to investigate and ensure that athletes meeting selection standards should be allowed to compete. The mother revealed she has spent approximately 10 million baht supporting her son's training, including selling two houses and keeping only one of four vehicles.
Isaranudom Phuriharanphat is a 22-year-old shooting athlete who became Thailand's youngest-ever Olympic competitor when he participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at age 15 in the 25-meter rapid-fire pistol men's event.
