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Published on August 2, 2007

Supanut, who is also the deputy secretary-general of the Athletics Association of Thailand, said the host nation would field 72 athletes in the Universiade scheduled for August 8-18.

Supanut said history will not be repeated this time. Two years ago in Izmir, Turkey, Thai athletes failed to bag a single gold. The failure of the men's 4x100 relay team rankled everyone as they messed up their baton exchange.

This time, Supanut feels things will be different and Thailand will target gold in the men's 200m, 4x100m relay, half-marathon, women's 4x100m relay and javelin. "They have been training much harder," Supanut said.

Taweesak Pooltong, Wachara Sondee, Sompote Suwannarangsri and Sittichai Suwonprateep gave the coach and themselves a boost when they captured the men's 4x100m relay gold in the Asian Championships in Amman last week.

Supanut says Orranut Klomdee, Juthamas Thaworncharoen, Sangwan Jaksunin and Nongnuch Sanrat, who retained the 4x100m relay gold in the Asian meet, will be one of the favourites.

Buaban Pamang, a surprise winner in the Asiad, is in great form and is expected to take the javelin gold. She proved that her victory in Doha was no fluke by winning at the Asian Championships and the three legs of the Asian Grand Prix.

Boonthung Srisang has been making rapid strides in the half-marathon. He won gold medals in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres in the SEA Games and will be determined to show his talent on the world stage. "He has a good chance of winning a medal," he said.

"Our athletes, if they underestimate their rivals, will be doing so at their own peril. They have to bear in mind that this is not an Asian meet.

"We will be facing serious challenges from athletes from the US, Europe besides China and Japan."

The athletics competition will begin on August 9, with the first gold medal to be handed over in the women's 20km walk, which starts in Ayutthaya at 6.30am.

Thais may not have to wait long to celebrate success as the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams vie for gold on August 9.

Forty-six gold medals will be up for grabs in the athletics competition, which will be held at the Thammasat Rangsit Main Stadium from August 9 to 14.

Preechachan

Wiriyanupappong

The Nation