Saysunee Jana

Saysunee Jana
Jana competing at the 2024 Summer Paralympics
Personal information
Born (1974-06-15) 15 June 1974
Chiang Mai, Thailand[1]
Fencing career
SportFencing
Country Thailand
WeaponÉpée, Foil and Sabre
Disability classB
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Paralympic Games 5 1 4
World Championships 6 3 4
Asian Para Games 3 7 4
ASEAN Para Games 3 0 0
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place2004 AthensÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2012 LondonÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2024 ParisÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2024 ParisFoil B
Gold medal – first place2024 ParisSabre B
Silver medal – second place2016 Rio de JaneiroÉpée B
Bronze medal – third place2004 AthensFoil B
Bronze medal – third place2008 BeijingÉpée B
Bronze medal – third place2020 TokyoÉpée B
Bronze medal – third place2024 ParisÉpée team
World Championships
Gold medal – first place2010 ParisÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2011 CataniaÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2013 BudapestÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2015 EgerÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2023 TerniÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2025 IksanÉpée B
Silver medal – second place2017 RomeSabre B
Silver medal – second place2017 RomeÉpée B
Silver medal – second place2023 TerniÉpée team
Bronze medal – third place2010 ParisFoil B
Bronze medal – third place2011 CataniaFoil B
Bronze medal – third place2019 CheongjuFoil B
Bronze medal – third place2023 TerniFoil B
Asian Para Games
Gold medal – first place2010 GuangzhouÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2018 JakartaÉpée B
Gold medal – first place2022 HangzhouÉpée B
Silver medal – second place2018 JakartaFoil B
Silver medal – second place2018 JakartaSabre B
Silver medal – second place2018 JakartaSabre team
Silver medal – second place2022 HangzhouSabre B
Silver medal – second place2022 HangzhouFoil B
Silver medal – second place2022 HangzhouÉpée team
Silver medal – second place2022 HangzhouSabre team
Bronze medal – third place2010 GuangzhouFoil B
Bronze medal – third place2018 JakartaÉpée team
Bronze medal – third place2018 JakartaFoil team
Bronze medal – third place2022 HangzhouFoil team
ASEAN Para Games
Gold medal – first place2025 Nakhon RatchasimaSabre B
Gold medal – first place2025 Nakhon RatchasimaFoil B
Gold medal – first place2025 Nakhon RatchasimaMixed team épée
Jana celebrating after winning the semi-final at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London.

Saysunee Jana (Thai: สายสุนีย์ จ๊ะนะ, RTGS: Saisuni Chana; born 15 June 1974) is a Thai wheelchair fencer. She became Thailand's first female Paralympic gold medalist when she won the Épée B event at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. She has won five gold, one silver, and four bronze medals in total from six appearances at the Paralympic Games. At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, she became the first female wheelchair fencer to win individual gold medals in all three weapons (sabre, foil, and épée) at a single Games.

Jana was born in Chiang Mai. At age 17, she was involved in a motorcycle accident that left her legs paralyzed. After undergoing rehabilitation, she began her career in wheelchair fencing, eventually becoming a multiple-time World Champion. Beyond sports, she serves as an advocate for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), promoting bodily autonomy and the rights of persons with disabilities.

Early life and initial sports career

Jana was born and raised in Chiang Mai, Thailand. In her youth, she worked in a factory to help support her family. When she was 17, Jana was involved in a motorcycle crash where her vehicle was struck by a 10-wheel truck. The accident resulted in a severe spinal cord injury that left both of her legs paralysed.[1][2]

She subsequently attended the Yadfon Vocational Rehabilitation Center for Persons with Disabilities in Chiang Mai, where she was introduced to para-sports. She initially played wheelchair basketball and earned a spot on the Thai national team. However, a coach noticed her long arms and powerful upper body, encouraging her to transition to wheelchair fencing.[3] Jana made her international debut in fencing at the 1999 FESPIC Games in Thailand, where she won two gold medals. The prize money from this tournament helped clear her family's debts and marked the beginning of her professional career.[3]

Fencing career

2004–2020: First Paralympic gold and sustained success

Jana made her Paralympic debut at the 2004 Paralympics, winning a gold medal in the Épée B event and a bronze medal in the Foil B event. This achievement made her Thailand’s first female Paralympic gold medalist. For nearly two decades, she maintained an elite standing in the Épée B category, earning a reputation for her resilience and consistent podium finishes. She won a bronze medal in 2008, followed by a second Paralympic gold at the 2012 London Games.[4]

Her medal streak continued with a silver in 2016 and a bronze in 2020, solidifying her status as one of the most decorated athletes in Thai history. To maintain this longevity, Jana adheres to a rigorous training regimen, reportedly executing between 2,000 and 3,000 thrusts daily to combat muscle fatigue and injury.[3] She also served as Thailand’s flag bearer at the opening ceremonies of the 2012 Paralympics in London and the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.[5][6]

2024–present: Historic triple Paralympic gold and regional success

At the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris, the 50-year-old Jana won three gold medals in the individual sabre B, foil B, and épée B events, along with a bronze medal in the épée team event. She secured her third individual gold by defeating Kang Su of China in the épée final. Jana noted that the achievement exceeded her initial expectations, as she had primarily anticipated winning gold in her specialty, the épée discipline.[7] This sweep made her the first female wheelchair fencer to win individual gold medals across all three disciplines at a single Paralympics, and the second athlete overall to do so after Roberto Marson in 1968.[8]

In January 2026, Jana competed at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. Despite her international record, this was her first medal at the ASEAN Para Games as her specific classification events were previously not included in the program. She won three gold medals in the individual sabre B, individual foil B, and mixed team épée events.[9][10]

Personal life and advocacy

Jana is married to a fellow wheelchair user, and they have one daughter. She earned a bachelor's degree in Business administration from Rattana Bundit University.[11]

Beyond her athletic career, Jana is an advocate for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as an Advocate for Inclusive Population and Development. She frequently uses her personal experience of choosing to have a child at the age of 40—despite medical advice to terminate the pregnancy due to high-risk health factors—to promote bodily autonomy and the right of persons with disabilities to access healthcare and make family planning decisions with dignity.[12]

Awards and honours

  • 2008: Outstanding Athlete with a Disability Award, presented by the Sports Reporters Association of Thailand.
  • 2010: Outstanding Female Athlete with a Disability Award, on National Sports Day.
  • 2026: Named one of the "Women of the Year" by the Bangkok Post.[3]

Royal decorations

References

  1. 1 2 Hodal, Kate (5 September 2012). "Thailand's 'unbeatable' wheelchair fencer aims for more Paralympic gold". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ↑ "Saisunee Jana triumphs against all odds". Brilliant Online. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Women of the Year 2026: Saysunee Jana". Bangkok Post. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  4. ↑ "Saysunee Jana - Wheelchair Fencing - Paralympic Athlete Profile". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  5. ↑ "List of Opening Ceremony flag bearers". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  6. ↑ "JANA Saysunee". Paris 2024 Paralympics. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "Saysunee makes history with Paralympics fencing treble". Bangkok Post. 7 September 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  8. ↑ "Jana: World's first female wheelchair fencer to secure trio of Paralympic titles". World Abilitysport. 6 September 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  9. ↑ "Saysunee and Pongsakorn shine again". Bangkok Post. 24 January 2026. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  10. ↑ ""สายสุนีย์" มุ่งมั่นเต็มที่คว้า 2 เหรียญทองกีฬาวีลแชร์ฟันดาบ ปลดล็อกความสำเร็จอาเซียนพาราเกมส์" ["Saysunee" fully committed to winning wheelchair fencing gold medals, unlocking ASEAN Para Games success]. Siamsport (in Thai). Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  11. ↑ "ประวัติ "แวว" สายสุนีย์ จ๊ะนะ ราชินีวีลแชร์ฟันดาบสาวทีมชาติไทย" [Biography of "Waew" Saysunee Jana, Queen of Thai Wheelchair Fencing]. TrueID (in Thai). 7 September 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  12. ↑ "From Paralympic Gold to Bodily Rights Advocacy: Saysunee Jana". United Nations Thailand. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
  13. ↑ "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์อันเป็นที่สรรเสริญยิ่งดิเรกคุณาภรณ์ ประจำปี ๒๕๕๐" [Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office regarding the royal bestowment of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn for the year 2007]. Royal Thai Government Gazette (in Thai). 125 (2 ข): 30. 7 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 May 2022. Retrieved 16 April 2026.
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