Jamras sets track on fire

Thailand’s athletics contingent proudly left the Wunna Theikdi Stadium with their heads high yesterday as they dominated the action with a five-day haul of 17 gold, a result beyond their initial expectations of 14 gold medals.

The final day of the track-and-field events yesterday saw the Vietnamese athletes leave the arena with a bang, winning five out of 12 gold medals up for grabs. Thailand fielded athletes in five disciplines in which they won gold in the previous edition in Indonesia two years ago, but could claim only four gold.

Defending 110m hurdles champion Jamras Rittidet of Thailand yesterday set the stadium alight with a record-shattering 13.72-second run, erasing his old record of 13.77s established in the previous edition in Indonesia two years ago. After crossing the line, Jamras sat on his knees and performed a “wai” to the ground in respect.

Malaysia’s Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian picked up a silver in 14.00s, with Laos’s Anousone Xaysa coming third in 14.17s. In the women’s 100m hurdles event, Indonesia’s Dedeh Erawati avenged her loss to Wallapa Punsoongneun in the previous edition by relegating the Thai gold medallist to second spot. Dedeh, who came second in Indonesia two years ago, crossed the finish line first with a time of 13.53s, while Wallapa came second in 13.71s.

Thailand’s Subenrat Insaeng also retained her discus gold with a Games record of 56.77m, while compatriot Thawat Khachin took the men’s shot put gold with a distance of 17.54m.

Thailand claimed the fourth gold in athletics yesterday when the women’s quartet of Phatsorn Jaksuninkorn, Atchima Engchuan, Pornpan Hoemhuk and Yongphan Treewadee crossed the finish line first in 3.36.58 seconds to take the women’s 4x400m relay. The Philippines took the men’s event, with Thailand failing in their final assault on the homestretch to finish second.

Vietnam swept both gold medals on offer in the 1,500m, with the long-striding Van Thai Duong proving the best runner in the distance to cross the finish line first in 3:58.02 minutes. Thi Thao Do stamped her class in the women’s event by topping all challengers with a time of 4.22.64 minutes.

Vietnam also fared well in the women’s high jump when Thi Viet Anh Duong soared 1.84m for gold. Thailand’s Wanida Boonwan finished second with a jump of 1.80m, while the bronze went to Thi Diem Pham of Vietnam.

Defending champ Theerayut Philakong had to be content with a bronze in the men’s triple jump after covering 16.26 metres. Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Hung was in smashing form to capture gold with a Games record 16.67m. 

Thailand’s Boonthung Srisung took silver in the men’s 10,000m after clocking 29.44.82 minutes, while Vietnam’s Nguyen Van Lai captured gold in 29.44.82 minutes.

Indonesia’s Triyaningsih successfully defended her 10,000m gold after finishing the race in 34.32.68 minutes.

Meanwhile, Thailand claimed one gold apiece in the sepak takraw womens’ double team and taekwondo, thanks to the gallant performance of Cassandra Haller in the women’s 62-67kg class.

In the indoor volleyball competition, Thailand advanced to the final in both the men’s and women’s events.

The Thai women’s spikers, the two-time Asian champions and world No 12, proved too strong for all unfancied rivals by remaining perfect with four victories and not losing a set in the round-robin tournament.

Yesterday, the Thai squad brushed off Indonesia in straight sets 25-17 25-19 25-20 in their last match. Tomorrow, they will take on SEA Games arch-rivals Vietnam, the team they had already beaten in the first round, in the gold-medal encounter.

 In the men’s team competition, unbeaten Thailand yesterday downed Vietnam in straight sets 25-18 25-21 25-23 to storm into the final, where they will take on the winners of the semi-final match between Indonesia and hosts Myanmar, to be contested later yesterday.

Meanwhile, four gold medals were at stake in the traditional boat race, which saw the host rowers take the lion’s share of three gold. Indonesia won the remaining gold, while Thailand secured three silver and one bronze.

 

 

Medal tally 

Thailand 79 77 65

Vietnam 62 58 67

Myanmar 60 50 56

Indonesia 54 62 81

Malaysia 31 34 60

Singapore 25 24 32

Philippines 22 26 29

Laos 6 8 33

Cambodia 6 7 16

Brunei 1 1 4

Timor-Leste 1 0 3