Thailand’s Visit Kingmanaw has revealed a quiet confidence during the final countdown for the 2025 Para Fencing World Championships which get under in Iksan, South Korea, on Tuesday (2 September). 

Kingmanaw had appeared fleetingly on the World Cup podium before his Paralympic debut at Paris 2024 last summer. Some may have discounted him as a threat. 

That proved to be a mistake as he stormed to silver in the men’s epee category B under the bright lights of the Grand Palais. 

“At that moment, I felt a sense of joy and relief,” Kingmanaw said. “The first thing that popped into my head was, “We did it!” It was the result of years of hard training and many sacrifices.” 

“[My life has] changed quite a bit, with people around me giving me more support and me being more accepted as an athlete. It’s given me more drive and responsibility, not just for myself, but also for the team and the country.” 

Now with just days to go until the World Championships, Kingmanaw is cautiously optimistic of another medal winning performance: 

“I think I have a chance, but I know it won’t be easy. Competing at a world-class level is incredibly tough. All I can do is train hard, keep my body and mind as ready as possible, and then go into the fight with confidence.” 

It he did win a medal in Iksan, it would be another first for Kingmanaw. It may also give his country another Para fencing star to believe in, following on from the hugely successful –and as yet unfinished – career of multiple Paralympic and Worlds medallist teammate Saysunee Jana. 

In Paris Jana achieved her own amazing feat by becoming the first woman to win gold in all three weapons at a Paralympics. 

“Saysunee is truly an inspiration to me,” Kingmanaw said. “Her hard work, discipline, and determination in every competition have shown me that Thai people can also stand on the world stage. Every time I see her succeed, it pushes me to keep improving. The Thai team is constantly growing, especially over the past four years.”  

Kingmanaw is right. Thailand have a burgeoning team who have achieved impressive results in recent seasons, such as a slew of Asian Championships medals in early 2024. These include Chitipat Charoenta, the current Asian champion in the men’s sabre category B and Boonsiri Sanitmuanwai, the bronze medallist from the men’s sabre category A. Also travelling to Iksan will be regional gold medallist in the women’s sabre category A, Duean Nakprasit. 

“We have better coaches and equipment, and we also have more juniors coming into the game,” Kingmanaw said. “For me, being in an environment full of competition and motivation. It helps us to continuously develop ourselves, and I hope it will help push the Thai fencing industry to continue to grow.” 

Kingmanaw and his teammates will be amongst more than 240 fencers who will compete at the Iksan 2025 Para Fencing World Championships from 2-7 September. Athletes will go for medals and titles in the men’s and women’s epee, foil and sabre category A and B, men’s epee and foil category C, and team titles in all three weapons.