Niwat, a 47-year-old veteran athlete from Petchaburi but who represented Songkhla at the championships, set three national records for the men's 45-49 age group, while Somsanga, 52, also set three records for women aged 50-54. Their efforts resulted in them being selected as the most outstanding athletes.

"I am really glad that I was selected as the best male athlete this year. I have been trying to capture this title for years, but it always slipped out of my hands," said the jubilant Niwat.

Niwat won four gold medals at the championships - three of them national records.

He set his first record by shattering his own old mark of 18.00 minutes recorded in 2004 during the Asia Masters Athletics Championships in Bangkok for the men's 5km run on Saturday morning. He finished the 5km race in 17.04 for the gold medal. Later in the afternoon he captured his second gold by winning the men's 800m.

Early yesterday morning he set his second national record by winning the men's 10km, which took place in a very comfortable morning chill. His time of 32 minutes and 28.00 seconds was much better than his old mark of 36:42.16 during the Asia Masters Athletics Championships in 2004.

But the strong Niwat was not finished. After a few hours rest, he ran in the men's 1,500m and again set a record. He finished the race in 4:39.14, shattering his old mark of 4:44.56 set in 2004.

"This is what I have dreamed of. When I was young, I tried to become a national team runner," he said. "But as I was from a poor family, I could not get good food or the proper preparation to become a national team runner.

"Now I can eat good food and have good preparation and my dream has come true," added the jovial Niwat, who has his own business.

Niwat is a regular at the veterans tournaments. He joined the championships seven years ago and has improved his times every year.

For Somsanga, it was the second time she has been selected as the most outstanding athlete. She won the title two years ago in Bangkok.

She set a record in the women's 50-54 100m at 12:39 seconds, beating her own old mark of 15.40 set last year in Bangkok. The other two records she set were 15.24 seconds for the women's 80m hurdles and 7.98 metres in the women's 50-54 triple jump.

"I am glad I was selected again. I didn't expect to be rewarded this time, because I have grown older," she said.

Prasert Srisueb

The Nation

Chiang Mai