The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) proudly marks the successful conclusion of the Disc Golf competition at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, celebrating a historic milestone as Flying Disc sports were featured for the first time as a demonstration sport within a full Olympic Movement multi-sport event.
In the Men’s Professional Open (MPO) division, Pichet Panturat, a leading figure in the Thai disc golf community and a reference for the sport not only in Bangkok but across the country, earned the gold medal with a composed performance, finishing at –11. Redha Fahmi Radzuan of Malaysia secured silver with –8, while compatriot Sean Raj earned the bronze at –7.
The Women’s Professional Open (FPO) division delivered a dramatic finale. Khim Chotchuang from Thailand emerged victorious after a high-pressure final hole. Tied at the tee with fellow Thai player Jiraporn “Jenny” Pagangpalang, the matchup turned when Jenny’s birdie attempt narrowly missed the chains. Chotchuang responded with a confident and calculated layup to secure par, earning her the gold medal at –13. Jenny took silver at –11, while Maryviel Dublin from the Philippines claimed bronze with a final score of –3.
WFDF President Robert “Nob” Rauch reflected on the significance of the event. “This has been an incredible experience. The SEA Games have been very welcoming to Flying Disc, and we’ve seen amazing action on both sides, Disc Golf and Ultimate. It’s been a tremendous opportunity to showcase our sports to the Asian Olympic Movement, and we’re truly grateful for how well it has all gone. Many thanks go out to Competition Director Dr. Issadee Kuntintara and the entire organizing teams on both the Ultimate and Disc Golf sides.”
Looking ahead, Rauch expressed optimism about the growth of Disc Golf in the region. “I believe the disc golf community here is really taking notice. After the sport’s return at The World Games in Chengdu this past August, the response was so positive that local authorities agreed to establish a permanent course in Guixi Ecological Park in the Wuhou District of Chengdu. We’ll continue this momentum next year with the 2026 PDGA Asia Tour Series and the WFDF World Team Disc Golf Championships in Lithuania, which already has 38 countries confirmed, a record-breaking number of participants.”
The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as the SEA Games, is a biennial multi-sport event governed by the Southeast Asian Games Federation under the supervision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Olympic Council of Asia. The 2025 edition included 574 events across 38 medal sports, welcoming over 9,300 athletes from 10 countries. The next edition is scheduled to be held in Malaysia in September 2027.
The final day of Disc Golf competition was livestreamed on WFDF’s YouTube channel, with full match replays now available on demand.
For more information, visit www.wfdf.sport.
For more information contact:
Robert “Nob” Rauch
WFDF President
World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF)
email: [email protected]