Rungroj Thainiyom

Started: He took up table tennis in the fourth grade of school and started competing in non-Para events in grade six. He began competing in Para table tennis in 2000 in Thailand. (mainstand.co.th, 09 Aug 2019; Athlete, 26 Oct 2015) Reason: At a young age he was looking for a sport to take up. He chose table tennis because it was well-suited to his impairment and he enjoyed it. "I never knew there was table tennis for people with impairments, I always practised and competed with able-bodied players. One day, during training, coach Manoch Orachon asked me, 'Why don't you play Para table tennis?'" (singha-r-sa.org, 23 Jun 2020; mainstand.co.th, 09 Aug 2019) Ambition: To win a medal at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. (paralympic.org, 26 Oct 2023) Milestones: He became the first table tennis player representing Thailand to win a gold medal at the Paralympic Games when he claimed the men's class six singles title at the 2012 Games in London. (bangkokpost.com, 28 Aug 2021; SportsDeskOnline, 11 Sep 2023) Additional Info: PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE He says he struggled for motivation after his first Paralympic Games in 2008. "I was eliminated in the first round, and after the Games I stopped playing for three months. I also stopped studying. But I came back because I received encouragement from those around me, and I prepared for the 2012 Paralympic Games." He won gold in the men's class six singles event at the 2012 Games in London. (singha-r-sa.org, 23 Jun 2020; mainstand.co.th, 09 Aug 2019) OCCUPATION He has worked at a Thai brewery as a motivational speaker for employees of the company. (Facebook profile, 07 Sep 2023; singha-r-sa.org, 23 Jun 2020; mainstand.co.th, 09 Aug 2019) HONORARY DEGREE In 2022 he was awarded an honorary degree in physical education by the Thailand National Sports University. (Singha Corporation Facebook page, 18 Apr 2022)