SOUTHEAST ASIA
Thanyalak Chotphibunsin (Thailand, 35) – Shooting
Headline: Asian Games shooting veteran Thanyalak targets OCA AC
Thanyalak Chotphibunsin is a Thai national rifle athlete, Olympian and coach with more than 20 years of international competition experience.
She began shooting at the age of 11 and joined the Thai national shooting team at 14. Since then, she has represented Thailand at the Olympic Games (Beijing 2008), four Asian Games (2006, 2010, 2018 and 2022) and seven SEA Games from 2007 to 2021 among other events.
The Thai hotshot has also been selected to represent Thailand at Aichi-Nagoya 2026 - her fifth Asian Games appearance.
At the Doha 2006 Asian Games, Thanyalak won a gold medal in the Women’s 50m Rifle Prone Team event and a silver medal in the individual event. Across seven SEA Games, she has won seven gold, four silver and one bronze medal. She also set a SEA Games record in the Women’s 50m Rifle Prone event that remains unbroken.
While continuing to compete, Thanyalak has also devoted herself to coaching and youth development. She completed the ISSF Academy C Level Coach Course in Rifle in 2025 and is currently undertaking the B Level Coach Course. Several young athletes she has supported have progressed to Thailand’s national youth and senior teams.
“If elected, my first priority will be to strengthen communication between athletes, National Athletes’ Committees and the OCA,” she said.
“Athletes should have regular and accessible ways to raise concerns, share experiences and contribute to decisions.
“My second priority will be to promote safe, respectful and athlete-centered sporting environments. Safeguarding must be part of everyday practice, not only a written policy. Athletes, especially young athletes, should be able to train and compete without compromising their dignity, physical or mental well-being, education, or future.
“My third priority will be to support athletes throughout and beyond their competitive careers. Access to sport science, education, mentoring, career development and professional networks should not depend on an athlete’s sport or financial resources.
“I would encourage cooperation among NOCs, public agencies, private organizations, experts, coaches and former athletes to make this support more widely available.”
