Asian Beach Games: Thai gold rush adds to medal tally

PHUKET: Hosts Thailand today extended their lead in the medal tally standings in the Asian Beach Games being contested in Phuket, bringing home at least five more gold medals in the day’s events.

Thailand closed the day with 58 medals (24 gold), while nearest contender Japan is in second place with 12 medals (6 gold).

Getting off to a good start to the day were the Men’s Stroke Woodball team – comprising Nakorn Nualraksa, Punnavich Polburi, Weerasak Srisamoot, Chinnakrit Imkrajang and Klayut Mongkholsamai – who defeated Chinese Taipei to lift gold in the event.

The Women’s Stroke Team followed suit, with Srisuda Bootju, Praewpan Chaithong, Pornpimon Buaklang and Thanchanok Sareepan defeating their Chinese Taipei rivals to also score gold.

Srirasin Khamklom, 31, won bronze in the Women’s Team Cable WakeBoard event, but lead the Mixed Cable Team Waterski team to a top-podium finish, with her team of Tantanasorn Chaiyabood, Burid Detwilaisiri, Techin Nakajima and Ken Tackmann defeating Korea to win gold.

Thailand continued to reign in the Petanque events, with Suranath Phadungsap defeating Mat M. Hafizuddin of Malaysia to win gold in the Men’s Singles, and Wannida Rooyoo defeating Manyvanh of Laos to score gold in the Women Singles.

Back on the water, Thanarwin Phakphokhai, just 17 years old, won gold for Thailand in the Sport GP Jet-ski contest at Patong Beach, while compatriot Supak Settura, 22, won silver. Abdullah Alfadhel of Kuwait lifted the bronze.

Chok-Uthit Molee, although 33, won gold in the Runabout Open Jet-ski competition, relegating Yousef Alabbulrazzaq of Kuwait and Aero Sutan Aswar of Indonesia to second and third place, respectively.

In the Extreme Sports, Pakphum Poosa-art brought home gold in the “BMX – Flatland division”, while Worapoj Boonnim scored gold in the “Inline Skate – Stunt Park” contest.

In the spectacular Beach Sepak Takraw contest, Thailand’s super-flexible fivesome of Komkid Suapimpa, Uthen Kukheaw, Aphisak Sarachon, Phakpong Dejaroen and Thinnagon Phanted defeated their Korean conterparts to win gold in the Men’s Beach team event.

Thailand also scored bronze medals in the Men’s and in the Women’s Beach Basketball competitions

At the time of posting this report, Thai fighters were pitching their battles for medals in the opening bouts of Muay Thai contests on Patong Beach.

The Phuket Gazette is proud to have been selected as the sole English-language media sponsor for the 2014 Asian Beach Games being held in Phuket (story here).

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