Muay Thai haul powers Thailand clear in SEA Games medal race

Fuelled by a sizeable haul of 11 titles from the Muay Thai team, Thailand have left their rivals trailing as they surge towards the 200-gold mark in the medal standings at the 33rd SEA Games in Bangkok and Chon Buri on Wednesday.

The hosts dominated their national martial art, with Thai fighters appearing in all but one of the 17 finals on the last day of competition at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

Thai boxers claimed 11 of the 16 titles on offer, although their impressive showing was overshadowed by controversy surrounding one of the defeats.

The drama unfolded in the much-anticipated women’s 47kg final between decorated Thai fighter Arissara Noon-eiad and ONE Championship star Islay Erika Bomogao of the Philippines.

Despite being the more aggressive fighter throughout the bout, Arissara ended up on the wrong side of a disputed decision, as Bomogao scraped through with a narrow 28-27 victory, much to the bewilderment of the crowd.

The defeat sparked allegations that titles were being allocated among participating countries, claims strongly denied by Amateur Muay Thai Association of Thailand president Dr Sakchye Tapsuwan.

“We have never had such a policy of allocating titles. Winning or losing is based on an athlete’s capability,” he said. “I can assure you there is no such practice.

“As for criticism of the refereeing standards, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”

Earlier in the day, good news came from the sailing competition, where Her Majesty the Queen helped steer the Thai team to an insurmountable lead in the keelboat SSL47 event.

Her sailing prowess was again on display as the Thai crew finished second and first in the two races on the third day of competition, opening up an unassailable seven-point lead after seven races.

With only the final race remaining on Thursday, the queen-led team are guaranteed to top the podium. His Majesty the King will preside over the medal presentation ceremony at Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Sattahip district, Chon Buri.

Veteran cyclist Jutatip Maneephan added another gold after winning the women’s individual road race, delivering the Thai cycling team’s ninth title.

In the 131.2km race from Kamol Sports Park in Bangkok’s Nong Chok district to Chulachomklao Royal Military Academy in Nakhon Nayok, the 37-year-old unleashed a powerful sprint in the final 200 metres to edge Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi That, clocking 3:56.20.

Thai Cycling Association president Gen Decha Hemkasri praised the team’s outstanding performance on home soil.

“This is our ninth SEA Games title, far exceeding our target of six gold medals,” he said. “We still have five more track events to come and hope Thai fans continue to support our cyclists.”

Thai weightlifters also ended their campaign in style, finishing with nine titles after double gold on the final day at the Chon Buri Sports School gymnasium.

Debutant Chalida Taingdee claimed the women’s 77kg title with a total lift of 214kg, while Duangaksorn Chaidee secured her third successive SEA Games crown in the women’s over-77kg class with a total of 258kg.

Chalida Taingdee and Duangaksorn Chaidee

At Thunder Dome Muang Thong Thani, Passakorn Suwannawat defeated Kritsanut Lertsattayathorn 4-2 in an all-Thai men’s singles snooker final to earn Thailand’s fifth title in the sport.

Thailand also dominated table tennis, with world No.14 pair Suthasini Sawettabut and Orawan Paranang winning their fourth consecutive SEA Games women’s doubles title.

Meanwhile, the home windsurfing team claimed three of four gold medals, highlighted by Aticha Homraruen’s victory in the women’s iQFOil Open class, continuing her father Arun’s legacy.

Thailand are also guaranteed a gold medal in mixed doubles tennis after both semi-finals produced all-Thai wins, setting up a domestic final on Friday.

As of press time, Thailand topped the medal table with 185 golds, 118 silvers and 79 bronzes, well clear of Indonesia (72 golds) and Vietnam (64).