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