Wasana finishes fifth after a strong start in air rifle
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Thailand's hopes of winning their first gold in the Paralympic Games were dashed when Wasana Keatjaratkul finished a disappointing fifth in the women's R2 10m air-rifle standing event.
The 35-year-old from Nonthaburi stormed into the final with 393 points, just three short of pace-setter Zhang Cuiping of China who shot a Games record 396 points in the qualifiers.
In the eight-shooter final, Wasana failed to maintain her splendid form to shoot 99.3 points for the overall scores of 492.3 points and finish fifth.
Zhang claimed gold after shooting 500.9, including 104.9 points in the final. Germany’s Manuela Schmermund and Australian Natalie Smith claimed silver and bronze medals with scores of 493.6 and 492.4.
Thailand’s Bodin Sornsriwichai completed his six series of shooting in the qualification round of the men’s P1 10m air pistol event, collecting 566 points.
Meanwhile, in the swimming, former Games gold medallist Somchai Doungkaew, 34, made his mark in the men’s 50m breaststroke, clocking 1.02.72 to finish fourth in the second heat and seventh overall to qualify for the final, which is scheduled at 2.33am today (Bangkok time). Team-mate Charkorn Kaewsri finished sixth in his heat and failed to make the final cut.
Twenty-eight golds were on offer yesterday including 15 in swimming and two each in powerlifting and shooting.
Thailand sent a strong field of 50 athletes and hope to win at least two gold medals.
Each Thai gold medallist will get Bt4 million as incentive from the National Sports Development Fund, while Bt2 million and Bt1 million will go to each silver and bronze medallist.
In the previous Games in Beijing, Thai athletes returned with 13 medals, including one gold from wheelchair athlete Prawat Wahoram in the men’s 5,000m race, and five silver medals.
Wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana, Thailand’s first women’s Paralympic champion, in the individual epee in Athens eight years ago, said that she is ready to regain her crown lost in Beijing in 2008. “If I can keep my anxiety level under control, I can fare well and take the gold,” said Saysunee, who had to settle for bronze four years ago. Her competition is on September 5.
