2024 marked significant progress in ASEAN nations’ sporting achievements, either in the Summer Olympics in Paris or other events.
Here are six memorable, essential events in ASEAN sports throughout 2024 that we will never forget:
ASEAN nations’ progress at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris
ASEAN nations made significant progress at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, winning 16 medals (five golds, three silvers, and eight bronzes). This achievement was better than that at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, with 13 medals (three golds, four silvers, and six bronzes).
The Philippines unexpectedly won two gold medals from Carlos Yulo in men’s gymnastics.
Yulo is the first gymnast from Southeast Asia who won gold in Olympic history. Previously, the 24-year-old athlete won gold medals at the 2019 and 2021 World Championships.
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In addition to the gold medals, the Philippines won two bronzes in women’s boxing (Aira Villegas and Nsthy Petecio)
Indonesia did not win gold in badminton. However, the country won two golds from Veddriq Leonardo (sport climbing) and Rizky Juniansyah (men’s weightlifting). Juniansyah is from a weightlifting family and broke the world record in Paris. Indonesia secured one bronze in badminton through Gregoria Mariska Tunjung.
Thailand won one gold medal in women’s taekwondo through Panipak Wongpattanakit, who beat the Chinese athlete in the final. In badminton, Thai player Kunlavut Vitidsarn earned silver after losing to Viktor Axelsen (Denmark) in the final.
Thailand won two other silver medals in men’s weightlifting and two bronze medals in women’s weighlifting and women’s boxing.
Malaysia secured two bronzes in badminton (Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik in mens' doubles and Lee Zi Jia in mens' singles). While Maximilian Meader earned one bronze for Singapore in sailing.
The Philippines qualified for the semifinal of the ASEAN Cup 2024
The Philippines were underdogs in the ASEAN Cup 2024 (AFF Cup). However, Alberto Capellas’ boys surprisingly beat the host Indonesia in the decisive match of Group B on Saturday (21 December) in Solo, Central Java.
After the last group stage match, Indonesia or Myanmar were predicted to qualify for the semifinal, given that both collected four points. The Philippines were at the bottom with three points.
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However, Indonesia and Myanmar lost in the last match against the Philippines and Vietnam.
In the first leg of the semifinal, The Azkals stunned ASEAN football powerhouse Thailand at the Rizal Memorial Stadium 2-1, the first triumph after 52 years.
After overcoming the Philippines through a dramatic match with extra time, Thailand—seven-time ASEAN Cup winners—finally went to the final this year.
Indonesia qualified for the third round of AFC Qualifiers 2026
Indonesia was the only ASEAN nation that competed in the third round of AFC qualifiers in 2026.
Rizky Ridho and colleagues still have four upcoming matches in 2025: two away matches against Australia and Japan and two home games against Bahrain and China.
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The Garuda ranked third in the Group C table with six points (one win, two losses, and three draws). ASEAN nations achieved the highest result in the World Cup qualifiers.
Several ASEAN countries have competed in the AFC World Cup qualifier round 3 since 2014. Singapore and Thailand in 2014 earned 0 and 4, respectively. While Thailand in the 2018 edition got 2 points, Vietnam in the 2022 edition collected 4 points.
Indonesian female tennis players excelled in international competitions.
Indonesian tennis players Priska Madelyn Nugroho and Janice Tjen won international competitions in India and New Zealand.
For the first time, Nugroho won the 2024 ITF W50 Navi Mumbai, held from 16 December to 22 December. The 21-year-old woman admitted going through the most challenging period after being absent for nine months due to the injury recovery.
While Tjen won a gold medal at the 2024 W35 Tauranga, New Zealand, in the event, Tjen was seventh-seeded with 547th in the WTA world rankings and 1395th in the ITF world rankings.
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Tjen won seven singles titles and two doubles titles in 2024. In 2023, she won a bronze in the women’s double (partnering with Aldila Sutjiadi) at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Sutjiadi also reached the 2024 US Open semifinals in mixed double (partnering with Indian Rohan Bopana). The pair lost to Taylor Towsend/Donald Young in the semifinals.
Previously, Sutjiadi—ranked 35th in the WTA double as of 30 December 2024—reached the semifinals at the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon (partnering with Dutch player Matwe Middelkoop).
The 29-year-old woman has won five women’s double WTA titles with different partners. She also graduated summa cum laude from the University of Kentucky.
Alexandra Eala still has a long way to go
The presence of Priska Madelyn Nugroho, Janice Tjen, and Aldilla Sutjiadi gives some hope that tennis players from ASEAN nations can compete in international competitions after the era of Yayuk Basuki (Indonesia) and Tamarine Tanasugarn (Thailand)-both once ranked 19th in singles.
The Philippines also has a promising tennis star, Alexandra Eala. The 19-year-old was named Athletes of the Year at the inaugural Women in Sports Awards held in Rizal Memorial Coliseum, Manila.
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In 2022, Eala won the Australian and French Open junior doubles and a US Open junior singles title. Previously, she grabbed double junior titles at the Australian Open (2020) and French Open (2021).
The talented youth’s achievement earned praise from her mentor, tennis legend Rafael Nadal (also her mentor at the Rafael Nadal Academy (RNA)), Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquaio, and the country’s president, Bong Bong Marcos.
All Indonesian final at 2024 All England's men's singles
Anthony Ginting and Jonathan Christie reached the 2024 All England badminton championship final, making the Indonesian final in the prestigious tournament after a 30-year wait.
1994 Haryanto Arbi won All England men's single after overcoming fellow Indonesian Ardy Bernardus Wiranata.
Jojo (nickname of Jonathan Christie) won the 2024 All England men's singles after beating Ginting in a straight set 21-15, 21-14.
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Indonesian men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Rian Ardianto defended their All-England title after beating Aaron Chia/Soh Woo Yik (Malaysia) 21-16,21-16.
In 2023, Fajar/Rian secured their historic All-England title after winning against Indonesian senior pair Muhammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan 21-17, 21-14.
