Vissanu steals show in 100 meters to fly Thai flag high

By Emmy Fitri

JAKARTA (JP): Malaysia cleaned up in overall medals in track and field yesterday, but Thailand's Vissanu Sophanich grabbed the limelight in the prestigious 100 meters.

Sophanich, the tallest man in the race, strode to a comfortable victory in 10.45, followed by compatriot Kongdech Natanee (10.52) and Malaysian Watson Nyambek (10.53).

Long in the shadow of the Thai team, the Malaysians did surprisingly well with a day's haul of four golds, two silvers and three bronzes.

The first Malaysian gold went to N. Harbans Singh in the 20,000-meter walk. His 1:29.13 pared more than six minutes off the Games record of Myanmar's Tun Tin from 1991.

Second and third were Singaporean Jairaj Ku Jeyabal and Malaysian Thi Balaysendaram. Fourth was Indonesia's Turiman Sungeb. All of the first four finishers bettered the old record.

Queen of the Malaysian track team was undoubtedly Shanti Govindasamy in the 100 meters. Govindasamy finished in 11.61 to beat Thay Than Than of Myanmar and Thailand's Dokjun Dokduang.

The winning time was well off the decade-old record of 11.28 set by Filipina Lydia de Vega.

Malaysian Nanda Kumar Ramadoss won the men's 800 meters in 1:51.08. Vietnam's SY Van Tran and Thailand's Chern Srichudanu followed him in.

Indonesia's Eduardus Nabunome almost spoiled the Malaysian party as he stayed with Ramachandran Murusamy through most of the 10,000 meters.

But Ramachandran pulled away from a fatigued Eduardus in the final lap.

"He was breathing very hard, so I knew that he was tired and took advantage of that," the winner said.

Eduardus was not disappointed. "My target for gold is the marathon."

The first of Indonesia's two gold medals came from a gutsy performance by Ester Sumah, 29, in the women's 800 meters.

"I asked God for a win, and He made it come true," an exhilarated Ester said before joining friends in a prayer of thanks on the side of the track.

She was unconcerned that her time of 2:06.72 was nowhere near Thai Sashitori Chantanuhong's Games record of 2:03.75 dating back to 1985.

"It doesn't matter, the point is I got the gold."

Thailand's Saipin Suetrong won the silver and Vietnam's Nguyen Thi took bronze.

Indonesian pole vaulter H. Oslan nudged aside Filipino Edward Lasquete for gold. They both cleared 4.8 meters, but Oslan cleared the height in his first attempt while the Lasquete needed three.

Indonesian Nunung Jayadi vaulted 4.6 meters for bronze.

The hosts ended the day with two golds, one silver and three bronzes.

The women's discus gold and silver went to Thailand's Jutaporn Krasaeyan and S. Yooyao with throws of 51.02 and 47.3 meters respectively. Myanmar's New Aye Aye was third.

Singapore's sole gold in track and field was earned by hammer thrower Tuck Yim Wong. Malaysian Tee Kue Wong and Indonesian Ong Hok Hin were second and third.