Thunya ‘overwhelmed’ by gold as Thai weightlifters shine

Competing in the women’s 48 category, the 20-year-old snatched 86kg to win the gold medal but had to settle for silver in the clean and jerk with 109kg and in the overall event with 193kg. The gold was won by 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medalist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu of India with lifts of 109kg in clean and jerk and 194kg total.
“I’m so overwhelmed to win the gold as the result was much better than I expected. The Indian woman has more experience than I do, so taking a gold from her is a surprise for me,” said the Nakhon Sri Thammarat woman, who won two gold and a silver from the World Junior Championships in Georgia last year.

Chiraphan Nanthawong earned Thailand a bronze in this category from clean and jerk where she lifted 102kg. The 18-year-old from Nakhon Sawan province, however, finished ninth in snatch with an attempt of 77kg, and landed fifth position for total with 179kg.

Witoon Mingmoon

Thailand also won a silver from Witoon Mingmoon in the men's 56kg following his attempt of 152kg in clean and jerk. The gold went to Kim Tuan Thach of Vietnam, who beat the Thai by just one kilo.
Meanwhile, Thailand Amateur Weightlifting Association boss Busaba Yodbangteoy has inked a US$1-million (Bt32 million) deal with IWF to stage the 2019 World Championships in Pattaya from September 14-26. The event will be the last stop for weightlifters to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

Chiraphan Nanthawong