Sepak takraw teams, boxer Wuttichai boost Thai gold chest
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Victories by the men's and women's sepak takraw regu teams and boxer Wuttichai Masuk yesterday helped boost Thailand's gold medal tally to 12 at the Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea.
The sepak takraw teams were briefly tested by their South Korean counterparts before they displayed their supremacy.
The women’s team of Wanwisa Jankaen, Masaya Duangsri and Payom Srihongsa took 44 minutes to win 21-12 21-16 before the men, Pornchai Kaokaew, Sittipong Khamchan and Pattarapong Yupadee, emulated them with a 21-16 21-14 victory in 49 minutes. The women have won gold at the Games four consecutive times while the men made it five gold in a row.
Thailand won all four gold medals up for grabs in the sepak takraw events.
“I have to give credit to the players for having dealt well with the pressure from the South Korean supporters,” said Kamol Tankimhong, coach of the men’s sepak takraw team.
“There were some calls by the chair umpire, which we did not agree with but things like this happen. Our players have been trained to stay focused.”
Sepak takraw team manager Wirat Na Nongkhai expects South Korea to pose a greater threat at the next Games in Indonesia in 2018.
“I think South Korea will be stronger in the next four years. We have to work hard on the techniques to get ready for that,” he said.
More than Bt48 million in incentive money from the government is waiting for the sepak takraw players and coaching staff when they return home next week.
Meanwhile, hot favourite Wuttichai finally lived up to the high expectations placed on him after he edged out South Korean Lim Hyunchul in the men’s light welterweight final. That performance is expected to be Thailand’s last gold at the Games, which concludes this evening.
