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Published on November 29, 2007

 Having made a dismal start to their campaign, Thailand eventually emerged off the blocks in the shooting competition by clinching their first gold medal at the Hua Mark Shooting Range yesterday. The shooters, who have had profitable campaigns in the regional sporting event, were undone on Tuesday, winning just three silvers and a bronze.

Despite the ominous start, the Thai team managed to put their campaign back on track, thanks to the exploits of the Jakkrit Panichpatikum-inspired men's 50m pistol team.

The experienced Jakkrit and Noppadon Sutiviruch were instrumental in the success as the two registered scores of 559 and 560 respectively to post a winning total of 1,654. Singapore finished second, 21 points adrift, while Vietnam claimed the bronze.

Any optimism that the breakthrough was a sign of more gold medals to come was to prove misplaced as the Thai shooters' fate then took a downturn, with only three silver medals being added to their kitty. Jakkrit's fortunes illustrated the disappointment as he came second best in the 50m pistol and 10m air pistol individual categories.

The veteran came agonisingly close to sealing his second gold in the 10m event, where the outcome was decided on the final shot.

It looked as though Vietnam's Quoc Tran Cuong, who registered the best score in the qualifiers, was on course for the victory. However, he was suddenly out of the running following a wayward shot.

The contest suddenly turned into a thrilling duel between Jakkrit and Singapore's Gai Bin. The Thai had a decent chance to snatch the win on the last shot but he let the home crowd down scoring a disappointing 8.3 while the 39-year-old Bin finished with a 10.0 to secure his first-ever gold.

Jakkrit's luck was hardly better in the 50m class as he once again came agonisingly close to a win, only to lose out in a close duel with Burma's Maung Kyu.

There was a stage when Jakkrit was seemingly able to overtake the Burmese, who appeared nervy. However, the difference that Kyu held in the qualifying round proved too much for the Thai, who finished 4.1 points off the pace at 652.7.

The hosts' frustration was further compounded in the men's 10m air rifle individual event as Thanapat Thananchai missed out on a bronze medal in a nerve-wracking finale.

Thanapat was engaged in a duel with Emerito Concepcion of Philippines, with the latter holding the edge over the Thai for large periods. The Filipino flopped at a crucial moment to hand Thanapat a chance to claim an unlikely bronze. The Thai, however, failed to grab the opportunity.

Thanapat's disappointment might have been partly eased with the silver medal in the team event. Singapore sealed the gold with 1,767 points while Vietnam claimed the bronze.

In the trap event, the hosts bagged silver through Atith Kitcharoen in the men's individual class. Singapore completed a sweep in both individual and team categories.

Thailand have so far won a solitary gold, seven silver and two bronze.

 Kitinan Sanguansak

 The Nation