Published on December 18, 2005

[ASEAN PARA GAMES] Thai athletes ruled the roost on the fourth day of the Asean Para Games in the Philippines yesterday, with the swimmers making a big splash. A total of 40 gold medals were up for grabs in the pool yesterday and Thai swimmers performed superbly to win 18 medals, including 11 gold. In the track and field events where a total of 34 gold medals were on offer, Thai athletes also fared well to win nine more gold yesterday. One-handed Sa-ngad Chaikheenee made a good run in the men’s 800m to win the gold medal.

Team-mates Vinai Saenghuachang, also a one-handed athlete, crossed the finish line first in the men’s 100m, while the wheelchair-bound Saichol Khonjen won the other 100m gold.

In the tennis competition, Thai players won three gold medals with three of the finals all-Thai affairs. Samrerng Kruamai beat Vittaya Phimmee 6-3 6-1 to win the men’s singles, while Sakhon Khanthasit crushed Rattana Techamaneewat 6-1 6-1 to take home the women’s singles crown.

The remaining gold was won in the men’s doubles by Samrerng and Vittaya, who outclassed Suthee Klongrua and Suvitchai Muangprom 6-3 6-4.

In the judo competition, Kampol Jittreesong and Manop Takiankam took the men’s 60kg and 66kg classes respectively, while Anusorn Nakhamrak teamed up with Vittaya Vichaiwattana to win the men’s doubles gold in table tennis.

Five gold medals were at stake in weightlifting yesterday and Thai lifters won the majority with three gold medals, all in the men’s classes.

Chuchart Sukcharoen lifted 150kg to win the 48kg title, with Narong Kaesanan and Thongsa Marasi, a silver medallist at last year’s Athens Paralympic Games, capturing the 52kg and 56kg crowns after lifting 145kg and 165kg respectively.

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