Fastest man has hair cut at finish line

JAKARTA (JP): What do you do when you have just been declared the fastest man in Southeast Asia? You get a haircut!

That's what Thai 100 meter gold medalist Vissanu Sophanich did after he crossed the finish line ahead of the seven other contenders in the Games blue-ribbon event.

"I'm just very, very happy," said the 23-year-old runner.

"I trained and concentrated every day, every month, all year," he said as he draped himself in the red, white and blue colors of the Thai flag.

Thai coaches and officials then trimmed Vissanu's hair to a short crew cut. It was his way for him to express his joy, his way of saying thanks to the powers that be at this momentous time in his life.

He had made a pledge to cut off his hair if he won, and he kept his promise. Right there on the finish line where he had just stopped the clock at 10.45 seconds.

His time was still well outside the Games record of 10.36, but in the ruptuous joy of the moment, that did not seem to matter.

Vissanu had clocked his personal best in the qualifying heat on Monday, 10.41 seconds. He performed strongly showing his qualities as both a strong starter and finisher.

The result of the heat really showed that Vissanu was the man to beat, and yesterday no one could.

Success for the young runner should not come as a surprise as he hails from a family of athletes.

His father was formerly a Thai seeded athlete in the 4x100m, his mother a high jumper and his sister was also a 100m runner.

He says they were the ones who instilled the discipline of training as they were very strict.

"I know they must be very happy right now," he said.

In addition to concentrating on athletics, Vissanu's parents also demanded their son complete his studies at Prasanmitr University, where he majored in physical education.

Given that Vissanu only switched from rugby to athletics last year, his rocketing form has truly been remarkable.

With just a year's preparation, Vissanu is already now recognized as the fastest man in the region. Many dread to think what he could achieve with a bit more training.

His team manager, Anawin Pukdeejit, said that he was more than satisfied with Vissanu's time.

"I was sure that he would win before the race. But when the race was about to start, I started to think, every runner had the same chance."

Apart from a gold medal, Vissanu will receive 50,000 baht (US$140) from the Thai government.

Pukdeejit said that if the economic situation in Thailand had been better, the amount would have been higher because private sector companies and team sponsors would not have hesitated to shower the nation's outstanding athletes with hefty financial rewards. (04/mds)