Ramnarong, Julanan stay perfect to claim gold

 Defending champion Ramnarong trounced Vo Quoc Hung of Vietnam 18-6 to claim his second Games gold medal while Julanan from Hat Yai beat another Vietnamese, Troung Thi Kim, Tuyen 18-13.

Ramnarong Sawekwiharee in red

National coach Choi Young Seok, who was angry that favourite in the men’s under-68 category Nutthawee Klompong was denied gold by what he claimed were biased officials on Sunday, looked gratified with the performance of his wards.

“It was a pleasing sight. Benjarat Yangtrakul won the women’s under-57 event on Sunday. We expect two more gold medals from Panipak Wongphat-tanakit and Tawin Hanparb. They won medals in the Olympics and they have the talent to repeat the feat here,” the South Korean said.

Julanan Khuntikulanon in blue 

Julanan said she felt as if a load had been taken off her shoulders. “I was very tense. I didn’t sleep properly because I had to compete against a Malaysian. Luckily the referees tested the head guard a few times before the competition. I’m very happy to have finally won,” said Julanan.

In sailing, Siriporn Kaewduang Ngam dominated the women’s RS One from start to finish, beating Geh Cheow Lin of Malaysia at the National Sailing Centre in Langkawi.

Siriporn Kaewduang Ngam

The 23-year-old, who won the event in 2011, received just 19 penalty points to top the standings while Lin had to be content with the silver after racking up 26 points. Lim Si Ning Nicole of Singapore was third with 37. “Lin tried hard to beat me but I knew my only chance to win was by keeping the pressure on her. We have been competing against each other for a long time,” said Siriporn, who trains at Jomtien beach in Pattaya.

Siriporn’s success brought the Thai sailing team their third gold medal in the Games. Earlier, Sutida Poompat and Gunyaporn Buengbon won the women’s international 420 and the trio of Kamonchanok Klahan, Kanapan Pachatikapanya and Vanicha Chomtongdee won the team racing laser radial event.

Siriporn, who is a student at Rattana Bundit University, said she wants to succeed at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia. It will be her second appearance in the continental event.

“I will go back to training at Jomtien right after the SEA Games to prepare for the Asian Games. My goal is to win a gold,” said Siriporn, who won a bronze at the Incheon Asian Games in 2014.

Natthaphong Phonopharat 

In the men’s windsurfing RS One event, Natthaphong Phonopharat won his fourth consecutive gold medal after finishing first in the final race.

“I’m so happy as I never finished first in any of the previous races. I bring my best when it really matters. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish this SEA Games,” Natthaphong said.

Women's cricket team 

In cricket, the Thai women’s national team beat Indonesia by 109-85 (24 runs)  to claim the gold medal. The sixth gold medal by Thai athletes on Monday was achieved by Aumpawan Suwannaphruk and Sarawut Sriboonpeng in pentanque mixed doubles.

 Aumpawan Suwannaphruk and Sarawut Sriboonpeng 

Thailand have won 59 gold medals so far in the Games and remained at second in medal tally with host Malaysia leading at the top with 111 golds.