Natphanlert surprises himself with a gold medal

The 23-old-from Phrae emerged as the darkhorse in the event, which was studded with high-profile shooters, including the 2016 Olympic Games gold medallist Hoang Xuan Vinh of Vietnam who failed to reach the final, and Malaysia’s Jonathan Wong Guanjie, who took the silver after firing 223.5 points.

Overjoyed by the surprise win, Natphanlert yelled, “Mum, I did it!”, after the final bullet was fired and his name emerged top of the final list.

“I was so happy that I didn’t know what to say. So I yelled out like that. I didn’t really expect to win the gold, to be honest,” said the shooter, who was making his second appearance in the SEA Games after winning two silver medals in the men’s 10m and 50m pistol events two years ago.

Meanwhile, Napas Tortungpanich took the bronze medal in the 10m air rifle event.

Later in the day, Thailand won six more gold medals which are:

The laser radil team of  Richa Chomthongdee, Kannapan Pachatikapanya and Kamonchanok Klaharn  at the National Sailing Centre, Langkawi.

The men’s sepak takraw doubles team.

 

The men’s karate under 67m  kg by Supa Ngamphuengphit.

Nuttapong Ketin in the men’s s 200m breaststroke (2.14.35 mins).

Promrob Juntima in men’s shot put. 

 

 and Nattha Nacharn from women’s javelin throw (55.5 m).

The Kingdom’s delegation won several silver medals yesterday but the one that made the country proudest was in the team dressage, where Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratna took part. The sensational image of Her Royal Highness placing the medal on the picture of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, her grandfather, during the medal presentation ceremony went viral on the social media and captured the hearts of the whole country.

 Other silver medals came from the men’s time trial team in cycling and Narong Benjaroon in the men’s discus throw. It was the second silver for Narong, who also finished second in Singapore two years ago. The Kingdom also won bronze medals in women’s singles table tennis, gymnastic men’s floor exercise and pommel horse.

In football, Thai men’s team won their third successive match, blanking the Philippines 2-0 in a Pool B round robin competition. They will play Vietnam in the last game tomorrow. The women’s team were held 1-1 by Vietnam 1-1. Thailand will play the Philippines while Vietnam will take on Malaysia in their last and crucial round robin games tomorrow, which will decide the champion.

In boxing, Thai fighters reached finals in five events out of six they entered, missing only the 81kg |category.