Boxers boost relentless Thai gold rush
With their boxers packing a good punch and pencak silat exponents flexing their muscles yesterday, the hosts crossed the century mark in style at the 24th SEA Games.
Published on December 13, 2007
Nakhon Ratchasima
Thailand continued their remarkable run in the biennial extravaganza and topped the tally with 118 gold medals.
Thai boxers fared well in the finals yesterday to win six gold medals out of seven at stake. The Philippines clinched the remai-ning one after Thailand's Hansa Kadeewong suffered a humiliating loss to Annie Albania in the 50kg flyweight class.
The home team excelled in the pencak silat competition as well, winning four gold medals. Indonesia clinched four gold medals, followed by Vietnam with three, while Singapore picked up one.
In taekwondo, the Thais claimed two gold as Dam Srichan and Cassandra Haller won the men's under-78kg and the women's under-67kg classes yesterday. Vietnam took home two gold, while Indonesia and Malaysia claimed one gold apiece.
Thai players continued their invincibility in the sepak takraw competition after sweeping both gold in the regu events, with the men's team crushing Indonesia and the women's side brushing aside Vietnam.
Home weightlifters also flexed their muscles to take two gold out of three at stake yesterday, with Khunchai Nuchpum landing the men's 105kg division title and Nitti Kam-Eaim winning the men's over-105kg class. Watcharaw-adee Rattanachuang added a silver to the tally with her effort in the women's 75kg category.
At the end of the five-day competition, Thailand topped the list with seven gold, followed by Indonesia with five and Vietnam with one.
The hosts also clinched the men's handball team gold.
Thailand's Natthaphon Yatra and Piyaphan Phaophat combined well in the men's kayak doubles (k2) 1,000m to snatch a lone gold from five at stake in canoeing.
Yanisa Torrattanawatthana won a gold for the Kingdom in the women's under-53kg karate-do event. The hosts and Vietnam won two gold apiece in judo.
Sailors brought fame and fortune to the host nation when they captured the first gold from the Optimist team event after edging Singapore out 2-1 in the final showdown.
Malaysia bagged the jumping individual crown in the equestrian event, while former Asian Games gold medallist Pongsiree Bunluewong of Thailand won the bronze.
Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines won a gold medal each in archery. The Philippines also bagged the lone gold on offer in the women's 3m springboard diving competition.
Meanwhile, Haj Naim Brahim made Brunei Darussalam proud, winning the first gold for his country in the men's singles lawnbowls.
Preechachan Wiriyanupappong
The Nation
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