Thai regu teams head and shoulders above the rest
Thailand made a clean sweep of gold medals in the sepak takraw competition they had entered, winning the men's and women's regu teams at the Bucheon Gymnasium yesterday.
Last week, the country won gold medals in the men’s and women’s team events and yesterday the women trounced South Korea 21-12 21-16 and the men ended the campaign in style with a 21-16 21-14 victory over the hosts.
Thailand had to skip the men’s and women’s doubles categories, which were won by Myanmar, due to the rules which prevent countries from sending teams to not more than four events.
The women’s team of Wanwisa Jankaen, Masaya Duangsri, Payom Srihongsa spent 44 minutes to win the gold medal for the fourth time in the Games. However, Thailand’s main player Fuengfa Praphatsarang twisted her left ankle while trying to block the ball at 7-6 in the first game. She was replaced by Payom and sat on the sidelines to give her team-mates morale support.
“I thought the girls would be under pressure due to the loud cheers from the South Korean crowds. I’m happy they made it through. I think South Korea will be stronger in the next four years. We have to work hard on our skills and technique to get ready for such and eventuality,” said team manager Wirat Na Nongkhai.
Team captain Wanwisa said: “I was so excited especially during the last two points. We really worked hard to beat them. We did not want to let them back into the match. And we made it.”
The men’s side comprising Pornchai Kaokaew, Sittipong Khamchan and Pattarapong Yupadee took 49 minutes to win the title for the fifth straight time in the Games.
The men appeared to cruise against South Korea until the second game where the hosts rallied from 9-4 to 9 due to the devastating serves of Park Hyeongeun. But Thailand regained their composure to wrap up the encounter.
Thirty-three-year-old Pornchai reached a milestone of eighth Asian Games gold medal in four appearances, beating the old mark of seven golds by Suebsak Pansueb.
“I had no idea about this record until the media highlighted the fact. But I’m glad to own the new record. From now on I will have to take a good care of myself so that I can continue playing for the country,” said Pornchai.
In taekwondo, Ramnarong Sawekwiharee lost to Taiwan’s Huang Yu-jen 5-8 in the men’s under 54kg semi-final and had to be content with the bronze. But the shocking news was 2010 silver medallist Pen Ek Karaket lost to Farzan Ashourzadehfallah of Iran 2-11 in the under-58kg second round.
Thailand has won one gold from Chanatip Sonkham in the women’s under 49kg, one silver from Akkarin Kitwijarn in the men’s under 63kg and three bronzes from Nattapat Tantramart, in the men’s under-87kg, and Panipak Wongpattanakit and Rangsima Nisairom in the women’s under 46kg and under 57kg.
