Thai weightlifters make Olympic history with stunning performances

In a night of electrifying action at the Paris Olympics, Thai weightlifters Theerapong Silachai and Surodchana Khambao delivered standout performances, clinching silver and bronze medals, respectively.

Theerapong, a 21 year old prodigy, made history by becoming the first Thai male weightlifter to win an Olympic silver medal in the men’s 61-kilogramme weightlifting category. Despite facing a tough session with 44 red lights and 28 white lights on the scoreboard, Silachai’s persistence paid off. Ranked sixth in qualifying, he was the only competitor to complete all six attempts.

Silachai’s total lift was an impressive 303kg, a personal best as he surpassed the 300kg mark for the first time. His final lift, just 7kg shy of gold medallist Chinese weightlifter Li Fabin, showcased his incredible determination and skill.

In the women’s 49kg event, Surodchana Khambao added to Thailand’s medal tally by securing a bronze medal with a total lift of 200kg. Surodchana’s career is decorated with notable achievements, including sweeping all three gold medals in the women’s 53kg category at the 2018 Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent and earning a bronze at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

Her recent performance builds on her impressive fourth-place finish in the Women’s 49kg category at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh. Surodchana’s bronze in Paris is a testament to her consistency and prowess in the sport, reported Thai PBS World.

In related news, in a welterweight semi-final clash at the Paris Olympics, Imane Khelif emerged victorious over Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng by unanimous decision, securing her place in the women’s final at Roland Garros.

Khelif, a silver medallist at the 2022 World Championships, and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting have found themselves at the centre of a heated gender debate that has captivated the Olympic audience and dominated social media.

In other news, Kunlavut Vitidsarn sparkled yet again for Thailand on the badminton court to scoop silver at the 2024 Olympics. Kunlavut emerged as the third Thai badminton player to claim a World Championship title in August last year, joining the ranks of Ratchanok Intanon and the mixed doubles pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh and Sapsiree Taerattanachai.