Thailand shines in Southeast Asian Games
Thailand shines in Southeast Asian Games
CHIANG MAI, Thailand (JP): Host Thailand stormed to a commanding lead at the 18th Southeast Asian Games here yesterday as defending champion Indonesia scrambled to stay in the medal race.
The spirited Thai sportsmen and women hauled in a total of 16 gold medals, eight silvers and seven bronzes to go on the top of the standings.
The Philippines came third with three golds, four silvers and five bronzes, followed by Malaysia which won three golds, two silvers and five bronzes.
No official medals tally was announced by the Organizing Committee yesterday.
Indonesia had to wait until the afternoon for its two fencing athletes and two men's lifters to win their long awaited golds.
Hari Setiawan gave Indonesia a moment of relief when he lifted a total of 255 kilograms to win the 54-kilogram division in men's weightlifting. Hari's record remains 15 kilograms away from the SEA Games mark he set two years ago in Singapore.
Taufik added another gold to the Indonesian team when he hoisted a total of 257 kilograms in the 59kg division.
But the women's category belonged to Thailand. Sanda Wangkiree totaled 167.5 kilograms in the 46kg, beating Indonesia's Sri Indriyani by five kilograms. Penpan Moonmongkol added to Indonesia's misery when she managed the best lift of 180 kilograms in the 50kg division.
The Indonesian fencing team got off to a flawless run yesterday by winning all the two golds at stake in an all- Indonesian final.
Edi Suwarto beat teammate Elvizar in the men's foil individual final, while Christina Timisela won another all- Indonesia affair against Paulani Ratu in the women's foil.
"We have tried our best today. No need to be disappointed since there are still many events we can do well," chef de mission Arie Sudewo said.
Thailand, taking full advantage of home soil, set the pace with a golden double in the morning session of cycling, with Chalerm Chamchun becoming the first gold medalist at the eight- day sporting meet.
She upset favorite Nurhayati of Indonesia in the 25-kilometer individual time trial in a heart-breaking race. Chalerm snapped three consecutive losses at the Games in a convincing time of 36 minutes and 23.848 seconds.
Thailand completed a double through Suphat Sriwasai, who was triumphant in the men's 50km individual time trial. Indonesia had to settle for its second gold in cycling.
Track and field, the richest sport in the biennial event, landed Thailand five golds. Malaysia stood firmly to give Thailand its toughest challenge, with its veterans winning three golds.
Indonesia, without its best sprinter Mardi Lestari, finished empty handed after 10 track and field events yesterday.
Thailand upped the ante with two golds in shooting, another two in equestrian and more laurels in gymnastics and diving.
The medal race resumes today, with a total of 36 gold medals at stake and a host team determined to put an end to Indonesia's long-time reign at the meet. (amd)
Medal tally -- Page 12
Cycling -- Page 12