World record-breaking Theerapong headlines Thai gold rush
Thailand is closing in on a century mark in the medal standings after plundering a sizeable haul of 28 gold medals, highlighted by weightlifter Theerapong Silachai’s world record-breaking triumph at the 33rd SEA Games on Saturday.
Theerapong, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist, lived up to expectations by capturing the men’s 60kg title with a total lift of 304kg.
Facing a stiff challenge from Indonesia’s Ricko Saputra, the Thai lifter relied on a 173kg clean and jerk — shaving one kilogram off the previous world record — to edge out his rival to the delight of the home crowd.
“Today was the best I could do. My main target was to win the SEA Games title, and I’m very happy to produce such a satisfying performance for Thai fans,” said Theerapong.
“After the Indonesian failed his final attempt in the clean and jerk, I decided to call for 173kg because I wanted to break the world record. I’ve lifted that weight in training, and it felt lighter today,” he added.
Another Thai weightlifter, Surodchana Khambao, ensured double joy for the hosts by winning the women’s 53kg class with a combined lift of 207kg.
Thailand’s taekwondo team rounded off an outstanding campaign by adding three more titles, confirming their dominance of the Korean martial art with 10 gold medals overall.
Chutikan Jongkolrattanawattana delivered the hosts’ first gold of the day after a hard-fought victory in the women’s 53kg class.
Up against Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Loan, the Thai edged the opening round by the narrowest of margins.
The duel remained tight in the next round, but Chutikan found a decisive breakthrough in the dying seconds to beat the Vietnamese 8-6 and seal the title.
Reigning champion Sasikarn Tongchan continued the gold rush with a dominant win over the Philippines’ Merica Lillyn Chan in the women’s 62kg division.
Such was the gulf in class that the Filipino managed just two points throughout the bout.
In the men’s 63kg final, Thanapoom Fuangnoi also appeared to face little resistance from the Philippines’ Kenneth Riley Buenavides, dominating the first round to build a commanding 16-4 lead.
The contest became far tighter in the next round as Buenavides mounted a spirited comeback and held a 10-6 lead with less than 10 seconds remaining, threatening to force a decider.
Roared on by the partisan crowd, the 17-year-old Thanapoom produced a dramatic late surge to overturn the deficit and clinch a stunning 13-11 victory, securing his maiden Games title.
The Thai gymnastics team also extended their golden run, with Weerapat Chuaisom claiming the men’s horizontal bar title.
He finished joint winner with Indonesia’s Abiyurafi after both scored 13.400 points, while Vietnam’s Dinh Phuong Thanh took bronze.
Weerapat’s success marked Thailand’s third gymnastics gold, following earlier triumphs in the men’s and women’s floor events by Tikumporn Surintornta and Sasiwimon Mueangphuan respectively.
In badminton, Thailand is poised to surpass the two-title haul achieved at the previous Games in Cambodia after home shuttlers set up all-Thai finals in both the women’s singles and mixed doubles.
Ruttanapak Oupthong and Jhenicha Sudjaipraparat produced a major upset by defeating reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei of Malaysia 21-15, 21-16 to reach the mixed doubles final.
They will face compatriots Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Supissara Paewsampran, who dispatched their Indonesian opponents 21-17, 21-15.
Former three-time junior world champion Ratchanok Intanon moved one step closer to crowning her final SEA Games appearance with the women’s singles title after the 30-year-old overcame Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching 21-11, 18-21, 21-17. Standing between her and the crown is compatriot Supanida Katethong, who upset top seed Putri Kusuma Wardani of Indonesia 21-18, 21-16.
Thailand also claimed their first-ever gold medal in figure skating courtesy of Thai-Japanese athlete Phattaratida Kaneshige’s historic victory in the women’s singles event. The nation’s previous best SEA Games result in the sport was a bronze medal in 2019.
In the six-red snooker competition, Saripaporn Nuanthakhamjan, Narucha Phoemphul and Ploychompoo Laokiatphong combined to win the women’s team title, edging Indonesia 3-2 in a see-saw final.
Inspired by world champion Jutatip Kuntatong, Thailand’s teqball team wrapped up their campaign in dominant fashion by sweeping all five titles on offer.
“It still feels great even though I’ve won world championships before. Winning the SEA Games title on home soil is one of my proudest moments,” said Jutatip, who claimed two gold medals in the women’s singles and doubles events.
In equestrian eventing, 2022 Asian Games silver medallist Korntawat Samran starred by winning the mixed individual title and playing a key role in Thailand’s gold-medal performance in the mixed team event.
Meanwhile, swimmer Kamonchanok Kwanmuang secured her third consecutive title in the women’s 400m individual medley, while cyclist Komet Sukprasert collected his second gold with victory in the men’s BMX racing event.
As of press time, Thailand topped the medal table with 94 golds, 59 silvers and 35 bronzes, well ahead of Indonesia in second with 31 golds. Vietnam lay third with 30.