Thai weightlifter hoists gold at Youth Olympics
NAKHON SI Thammarat’s Supatchanin Khamhaeng claimed Thailand’s second gold medal at the Buenos Aires Youth Olympics with a total lift of 236kg in the 63kg class of women’s weightlifting on Sunday.
The 17-year-old hoisted 104kg in the snatch and 132kg in the clean and jerk for a combined 236kg, 18kg more than silver medallist Dilara Narin of Turkey. Uzbek Dolera Davronova finished third after lifting 217kg.
“The hard work finally paid off. I have been practising so hard for three years and had injury after injury. That has sometimes made me feel down. I would have quit if it wasn’t for my love of this sport,” said Supatchanin whose idol is Pimsiri Sirikaew, the 2012 London Olympics silver medallist.
The Thai weightlifting team also won two silvers, from Thipwara Chontavin in the women’s 63kg and Natthawat Chomchuen in the men’s 56kg. The team only missed a medal in the men’s 69kg.
Four years ago, the Kingdom’s weightlifters won two golds and one silver.
“We knew we would win three medals coming to Argentina. We reached the target. These young athletes can improve further in the future,” said Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association president Busaba Yodbangteoy.
Thailand won its first gold medal in women’s taekwondo, clinched last week in the 55kg category by Kanthida Saengsin.
