Thai Wheelchair Fencer Saysunee Wins Double Silver, Targets LA Paralympics
Thai wheelchair fencing legend Saysunee Jana, 52, won two silver medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, in women's foil and epee Class B events. After a heartbreaking loss in the epee final, she posted an emotional message confirming her determination to compete at the 2028 LA Paralympics and upcoming team events.
"Waew" Saysunee Jana, a Thai national team wheelchair fencer, posted a message after failing to capture gold by losing to her opponent in the finals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Nagoya, Japan, in both the women's foil and epee individual Class B categories. The 52-year-old athlete lost to Cho Eun-hye from South Korea in the women's epee Class B final, taking home silver. Previously, she had also just won silver in the women's foil individual Class B event. After the competition, Waew Saysunee posted: "I've never been this disappointed in sports before. Today was an extremely difficult day. Fighting through skilled opponents (Chinese) round by round — from the round of 16, to the quarterfinals, to the semifinals — used all the heart and strength I had. But when the result wasn't as intended, someone asked, 'Losing like this, will you still go on to the Paralympic LA?' The answer is 'Yes.' Hearing that is moving, but it also steadies me: a single loss cannot stop our lifelong dreams and determination. Tonight, I'll use up my quota of vulnerability. Tomorrow, I'll return as a new person, refocusing to compete in the team events and remaining competitions to perform my duties to the best of my ability. Today I allow myself to be vulnerable to the fullest, cry it all out, and tomorrow I'll rise again with a stronger heart. Because there are still team events with my younger teammates and other important events where I must carry on. Thank you to everyone for the support and concern for Saysunee. Tomorrow, we fight on."
