Veteran Arun took the bronze in the men's Mistral Lightweight sailing event, while team-mate Napalai came in third in the women's Mistral, while boxer Worapoj lost a close battle in the men's bantamweight 54kg semi-finals.

The trio are assured of Bt200,000 apiece from the National Sport Development Fund.

"It's more than satisfying to win a bronze medal," said Arun. "Before coming here, I eyed the gold. However, when I arrived here, I found the wind is not ideal for the competition. It's totally different from what we are used to at the Jomtien Bay. There, the winds and sea conditions suit sailing and windsurfing," said Arun, 36, who won the gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games in Bangkok.

"The winds here are soft and unreliable. Those with lighter body weights will have a better chance of sailing home first. I weigh 66kg and to compete in the men's lightweight in the light winds is, therefore, a tough test. After returning, I would like to try again in next year's SEA Games before calling it a day."

In the track and field competition on Sunday, local sprinter Sittichai Suwornprateep - who anchored a men's quartet team that included Rienchai Seehawong to win the 4x100m relay gold with a new record of 38.82 seconds at the previous Games in Busan, South Korea - was in dismal form in his pet 200m.

He finished last among eight runners in his preliminary heats. His below-par 23.87sec timing in Doha was also a far cry from his gold-medal effort of 20.94 at last year's SEA Games in Manila.

Teenaged team-mate Taweesak Pooltong, making his debut in the Asiad, fared better as he ran 22.29. However, the rising star failed to make it to the final. Also in disappointing form was Wansawang Sawasdee, who hurled the discus to 51.32 metres to finish last among 12 competitors.

Hurdles queen Wassana Winatho came in fourth with a season-best 57.19sec in the 400m hurdles final. In last year's Manila Games, the long-striding girl clocked the fastest time of 57.20 to win the gold.

Yesterday, SEA Games gold medallist Chatchawal Polyiam failed to make his mark in the men's shot put after hurling 16.47 in his first attempt. Although he had not completed all his six attempts at the time of going to press, it's a tough mission for him to finish in the top three. Saudi Arabian Abdulmajeed al-Hebshi Sultan threw 20.42m in his fourth attempt, with Qatari Habash al-Suwaidi hurled 20.05m in his second attempt. Taiwanese Chang Ming Huang was trailing in third place after a 19.45m throw in his fifth attempt.

In the bowling competition on Sunday, Angkana Netrviseth, who has already picked up a bronze in the women's singles event, was fourth in the masters after scoring an aggregate 3,501 points. Compatriots Somjed Kusonphithak and Yannaphon Larpapharat finished in sixth and 10th places, bagging a combined 3,644 and 3,579 points, respectively, in the men's masters event.

Although their high hopes sank in several sporting events, sailors and windsurfers boosted confidence after standing a good chance of winning medals in Doha.

Experienced skipper Damrongsak Vongtim and his crew and younger brother Sakda, still maintain their form here. After 10 hectic races, Damrongsak kept his hopes alive of returning with the gold, leading all opposition with only 16 points. Well-acquainted with the winds and sea in the Doha Bay, he sailed home first yesterday.

Navee Thamsoontorn is also trailing in the second place in the Optimist with a combined 27 penalty points after 11 races. Team-mate Benjamas Poonpat is trailing in third place in the women's Optimist with 30 points.

Meanwhile, the national women's team left the basketball indoor hall with pride and joy after brushing off Lebanon 85-77 to claim the fifth place, their initial target in Doha.

In the sepak takraw competition at the al-Sadd Indoor Hall yesterday, Thailand got of to a flying start in the doubles event, with Sirinapa Pornnongsan and Waree Nantasing crushing the Philippines' Autor and Irene Apdon 2-0 (21-11 21-9) in the first round. The Thai girls were due to take on China later yesterday.

The Thai men have already registered two wins yesterday. After powering past Malaysia 2-0 (21-15 21-16) earlier, they later overcame a strong challenge from South Korea to beat them 2-1 (21-18 17-21 17-15).

Preechachan     Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha