Thailand dominate as Kieran completes SEA Games hat-trick

Thai-American star runner Kieran Tuntivate played a key role in Thailand’s relentless charge towards the 33rd SEA Games overall title by triumphing in the men’s 10,000m event to complete his outstanding treble of titles on the final day of the athletics competition at Supachalasai Stadium on Tuesday.

While teenage sprinter Puripol Boonson grabbed the headlines with his record-breaking performance in clinching the sprinting triple crown, the US-based runner was just as dominant in the middle- and long-distance events.

Having already snapped up the 1,500m and 5,000m titles, Kieran matched Puripol’s feat in impressive style by emerging victorious from a strong field in the 10,000m event, which included two-time SEA Games marathon champion Soh Rui of Singapore.

Meanwhile, Thai athletes smashed the record in the men’s 4x400m relay event. Thai-Australian runner Joshua Robert Atkinson amazed the home crowd with a sparkling dash in the final leg that saw him surge past his rivals before crossing the line in 3:03.07, eclipsing the long-standing mark of 3:05.47 set by Thailand in Chiang Mai in 1995.

Kieran’s winning time of 29:41.81 did not set a new record but was enough to secure the memorable treble — his best personal haul at a single Games — and take his overall SEA Games tally to a remarkable seven titles.

Joshua Robert Atkinson

After six days of thrills and spills in track and field, the Thai team finished atop the athletics medal standings with an imperious total of 13 gold medals.

On the second day of the sailing keelboat SSL47 event, Her Majesty the Queen continued to excel in her role as strategist and navigator despite tough conditions off Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Sattahip district of Chon Buri.

Her Majesty was instrumental in the Thai team’s triumphs in both races of the day, further strengthening its grip on top spot at the halfway stage of the competition, which will conclude on Thursday.

The Queen’s participation continued to attract public interest, prompting officials to set up giant screens for both local fans and foreign spectators to closely follow the races at sea.

At the National Tennis Development Center, world No. 238 Mananchaya Sawangkaew, the tournament’s third seed, marched into the women’s singles final after a respiratory problem forced the retirement of second seed Jenicca Tjen of Indonesia before the start of the second set in their semifinal match.

Mananchaya will again face the odds in Thursday’s final when she squares off against top seed and world No. 52 Alexandra Eala of the Philippines, who lived up to her billing by defeating another Thai player, Thasasporn Naklo, 2-0 (6-1, 6-4).

The Thai cycling team’s scintillating campaign continued as it picked up two more gold medals to take its overall tally to eight titles following triumphs in the men’s individual and team road race events.

Gritty cyclist Sarawut Sirironnachai starred with a breathtaking sprint over the final 100 metres, overtaking rivals from Indonesia and Singapore to clinch the individual road race gold.

With eight gold medals already secured — surpassing the six-title target — and still in contention for more on the final day of competition on Wednesday, Thailand Cycling Association president Gen Decha Hemkasri was understandably delighted.

“I admired our cyclists for fighting until the very end today. I felt uneasy when we were still behind, but fortunately Sarawut surged through to clinch the title. Congratulations to all our athletes and coaching staff.

“Discipline is the most important factor. We would not succeed without it. The eight titles we have won so far are already beyond our target, but we will not stop there as there are still five track events and one road race remaining on Wednesday,” he said.

Following a shock end to Thailand’s long-standing reign in the men’s team regu event at the weekend, the Thai sepak takraw team salvaged some pride by winning the mixed quadrant category with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Indonesia.

Veteran weightlifter Sarat Sumpradit rolled back the years to clinch SEA Games gold again, 12 years after his maiden triumph, following his success in the men’s 94kg class at Chon Buri Sports School.

The two-time Asian Games bronze medallist stood head and shoulders above the rest, recording a combined lift of 366kg, finishing well clear of Malaysia’s Mohamad Syahmi Nor, who placed second on 353kg, while Vietnam’s Tran Xuan Dung took bronze with 337kg.

The 31-year-old Sarat was delighted to taste SEA Games success again after his 2013 triumph.

“I was confident before the competition. The total weight I lifted was just my standard mark. I’m delighted to win gold again after 12 years and thankful to the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association for its continued support, even though I’m now 31.

“My next target is the Asian Games in Japan next year. I hope to achieve a good result there. The strongest opponents will be China, North Korea and South Korea,” Sarat said.

The hosts can meanwhile expect a bumper day in boxing after their fighters, spearheaded by Paris Olympic bronze medallist Janjaem Suwannapheng, advanced to a total of 10 finals across the men’s and women’s events.

As of press time, Thailand continues to lead the medal table with 156 golds, 97 silvers and 65 bronzes. Indonesia remains second with 61 golds, while Vietnam sits third on 46.