As Thai hearts sank with hopes subjugated by the bitter soccer loss soccer on Saturday night, javelin thrower Buaban Pamang lifted them up again with the Kingdom's first Doha Games gold medal in athletics.

Her stunning victory writes a new chapter in Thai athletics history as the first ever non-track gold won by a Thai athlete in the Asian Games.

Buaban's first attempt of 55.77 metres bettered her SEA Games standard of 55.06m set in Manila last year. She concentrated hard before commencing her second effort. It covered a satisfying distance of 59.67m, while her closest rival from China, Ma Ning, hurled 57.53m.

The best throw of Buaban's life came in her third attempt, with the winning throw of 61.31m proving too much for her challengers to match.

Buaban tried to go a step further in her fourth attempt but hurled a below-average 55.76m. She refused her remaining two attempts.

Ma threw 57.53m for second place, with Japanese Yuki Ebihara was third with a throw of 57.47m.

"It's the greatest success I have had in my life. I never thought before that I could win the Asian Games gold," said the 23-year-old Buaban, who hails from Chiang Rai. "Actually, I just pinned my highest hopes on winning a bronze medal here. But my parents sent me off and told me to give my best for the beloved country."

She became confident in her chances for the gold only after assurance from coach Sergey Voynov of Uzbekistan following the winning throw.

"I have never succeeded this far. My personal best throw in recent training was only 56.68m. My next goal is a gold medal at next year's World University Games in Bangkok, and, if possible, I would like to compete in the Olympic Games," Buaban said. She has also won two successive SEA Games championships.

National head coach Supanut Ariyamongkol expressed satisfaction with the performances of the athletes on the opening day of the Doha Games, calling Buaban's exceptional achievement an historical triumph.

"She was a real dark horse. Before coming here, staff coaches secretly banked their hopes on Buaban to finish top-three, but we did not want to let the public know, since it might put too much pressure on the athlete," he said.

He gave credit for the unprecedented goal to Voynov, who was hired three years ago.

"In Asian Games history, no Thai athlete has won a non-track gold medal," Supanot said. "She is superb to have emerged as the first to write another chapter in Thai athletics history."

Buaban's is Thailand's second athletics medal in the Asian Games. Sprinter Watchara Sondee, who claimed gold at last year's SEA Games in Manila, earlier presented the Kingdom with its first medal after taking bronze in the men's 100m.

Later, SEA Games two-time gold medallist Boonthung Srisung failed to set his mark in the men's 10,000m, finishing a disappointing eighth among nine runners after crossing the finish line in 30:40.47.

Preechachan

Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

Doha