It is a Japanese domination so far at the FEI Asian Championships Pattaya 2025. After two grueling days of competition in the Jumping discipline, veteran rider Taizo Sugitani holds the individual lead on a clean sheet, while Team Japan sits comfortably at the top of the team standings.
The championship battle is heating up. Leading the pack is Taizo Sugitani (JPN) aboard the 14-year-old Hanoverian Quincy 194 (Frh Quaid x AS Di Villagana). The pair has been flawless, carrying a perfect score of 0 penalties heading into the next round.
Hot on his heels is Chinese Taipei’s Yun-Chi Lin, riding Driss de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago Hn x Cap Kennedy*Bois Margot). Lin is breathing down the neck of the leader, sitting in second place with a mere 1.04 penalty points.
Proving the strength of the Japanese contingent, Kazuki Takizawa (JPN) occupies the third provisional spot. Piloting Crn Digger, Takizawa sits on just 1.43 penalty points, cementing a strong start for the Japanese flag.
A Shuffling Leaderboard
The track for Day Two, designed by renowned course designer Olaf Petersen Jr. (GER), asked serious questions of the competitors. While the top of the leaderboard remains tight, the standings saw a significant shuffle below the podium.
While eight combinations managed to keep a clean sheet—maintaining their Day One scores—several contenders fell victim to rails and refusals. The pressure is palpable: heading into the second round today, the field has narrowed significantly. What started as twelve riders within striking distance has whittled down to just six athletes sitting within one rail (4 faults) of the leader.
