Super Natthanan storms to fifth gold

Hosts Indonesia shot past the century mark in their haul of gold medals at the 26th Southeast Asian Games yesterday while Thai swimming sensation Nuttapong Ketin torpedoed rivals in the men’s 200m individual medley with a SEA Games record of 02.02.90 minutes.

Nuttapong clinched his third gold of the Games with his win yesterday. Later, Natthanan Junkrajang made a bigger splash to win her fifth gold of the meet in the women’s 200m individual medley, touching the wall in 02.18.75 minutes. Natthanan’s gold yesterday was the eighth achieved by Thai swimmers in Palembang. Thailand were expected to win more medals late last night on the final day in the pool.

Vietnam yesterday grabbed six golds alone in pencak silat to leave defending overall SEA Games champions Thailand trailing in third place. A total of 12 gold medals were on offer in the pencak silat and Vietnam took the lion’s share, with Indonesia and Malaysia sharing three golds apiece. Thailand left the arena with only four silver in the discipline after finding their rivals unexpectedly tough.

In the women’s team sepak takraw final, Thailand outclassed Burma 3-0 in their last encounter of the round-robin contest to claim a third takraw gold for the Kingdom. The Thai men are on course for a fourth but must first beat Indonesia in the final today.

 Thailand and Indonesia fought hard for the four gold medals up for grabs in the golf competition at the Jagorawi Country Club in Jakarta. Both sides shared two golds apiece, with Thailand taking the individual men’s title through Rattanon Wannasrichan, and also the men’s team event.

 Two more gold medals were won by Thai rowers yesterday when two-time Olympic veteran Phuttharaksa Nikree clocked 8.08.990 minutes to win the women’s singles rowing event at the Cipule Regatta Course, East Karawang in West Java. The second gold came from the men’s duo of Chaichana Thakum and Ruthtanaphol Theppibal, who hit the line first in 06.40.180 minutes in the men’s doubles rowing competition.

The bowling tournament saw a Thai women’s team of Tanaprang Sathean, Yanee Saebe and Angkana Netrviseth win the trios gold after collecting 3,777 points.

Meanwhile, wrestler Methee Tepakam brought more glory to his country when he won the men’s 84-96kg class to bag a third wrestling gold for Thailand.

Elsewhere, the Thai spikers advanced to the finals of the men’s and women’s indoor volleyball competition, remaining invincible in the single round-robin contest. Four women’s teams – perennial winners Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Burma – are taking part, while Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma and consecutive two-times champions Indonesia are pitted against one another in the men’s event.

In the women’s event, Thailand, the 2009 Asian champions who finished an impressive sixth at this year’s FIVB World Grand Prix, got off to a flying start by beating Vietnam, a team they have beaten five consecutive times in previous Games, in straight sets. The Thai squad yesterday fielded several young talents, including Wanichaya Luangthonglang, to tame the inexperienced Burmese in a one-sided battle 25-9 25-12 25-4.

Today is the rest day for the volleyball players. After winning two matches without losing a set, the Thai women are assured of securing a final berth on Sunday whatever the result of their last round-robin clash, against the hosts. Vietnam top the standings with seven points from three wins against one loss to Thailand, but have already completed their matches. Thailand are trailing in second place with six points from three wins and will take on Indonesia tomorrow. A win over the hosts will take Thailand top of the standings going into the final.

In the men’s competition, Thailand, who lost to Indonesia in a hard-fought five-set thriller in the final in Vientiane two years ago, came up much stronger this time. After finishing a stunning fourth place at last year’s Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, the Thai men struggled in their opener against Burma before winning the match 3-1.

The Thais later pulled off a dramatic 3-1 win over Vietnam before thrashing Malaysia and Cambodia 3-0. Thailand next take on arch-rivals Indonesia tomorrow but have already booked their berth in the final.

The Thais top the men’s standings with eight points from four wins, followed by Indonesia with six points from three wins. Indonesia were due to take on Vietnam late yesterday before going up against Thailand in the last round-robin clash.

The top two teams from the round-robin stage of the men’s and women’s tournament will face off for the gold, with the third and fourth places playing for bronze.