Thailand show hot wheels at Para Games
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Impressive performances by disabled swimmers and wheelchair racers helped reigning overall champions Thailand surge ahead of hosts Indonesia to stay atop the medal tally on the second day of the 6th Asean Para Games in Solo.
Thailand, who have won the biennial event four times in succession, sent a strong squad of 205 disabled athletes to the Games, which conclude on Tuesday. The Thai delegation have targeted 140 gold medals in an effort to stretch their supremacy to five meets in a row.
After winning the lone gold in the women’s wheelchair tennis team on the opening day, Thailand yesterday made their mark in the pool where Thai swimmers ruled with a haul of nine gold medals. Indonesian swimmers were hot on their heels with eight golds.
The Thai squad extended their domination to track & field. Veterans Pichet Krungget and Supachai Koysub, both of whom won golds in wheelchair racing at the Paralympic Games, remained an irresistible force in the 100m yesterday, each claiming a gold in different disability categories.
Thailand ruled the roost with six gold medals in athletics, while Indonesia were a distant second with a haul of two. However, the host nation shone bright in the table tennis competition where they battled to four gold medals.
At press time, Thailand led the medal charge with 20 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals. Indonesia, who have never finished in the top three in the medal tally, are in second place with 16 golds. Vietnam are tied with Malaysia on six golds, have a larger haul of silver.
