Thanongsak makes hat-trick
Visually impaired Thanongsak Hitakun made a hat-trick in the Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur after he won two gold medals yesterday from swimming competition which raised his total haul of gold medals to three in the ninth meet.
It was a busy day for the 30-year-old from Bangkok who was committed to two events on Thursday but that did not stop him from stealing the limelight at the National Aquatic Center in Bukit Jalil.
Thanongsak started his day with the win from the men’s 100m backstroke S11 before he enjoyed double delight a few hours later by dominating the men’s 50m freestyle S11. He has claimed three gold medals including the freestyle 100m S11 on Tuesday.
Thailand won four gold medals from swimming on Thursday. The other one was by 18-year-old Kiadtisak Suwannasri in the men’s 50m freestyle S4 category.
At the track and field venue, the Kingdom’s athletics team won six gold medals at press time. Those were achieved by Saichon Konjen in the men’s 400m T54, Arnon Wongngoen in the men’s javelin F11, Pongsakorn Paeyo in the men’s 800m T53, Boonkong Sanetpoot in men’s shot put F20, Junniw Uthai in the men’s 1,500m T20 and Apisit Taprom in the men’s 400m T37.
In tennis, Thailand won the first gold medal in the Games in the men’s doubles wheelchair event by Suthi Khlongrua and Wittaya Peemmee in the men’s doubles tennis. In powerlifting, Prakit Tongsang won the men’s up to 107kg event.
