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Published on August 11, 2007

Taekwondo exponent Patiwat Thongsalab brought the roof down after he emerged victorious from a tight battle with Alireza Nassrazadany of Iran in the men's lightweight final to claim the second gold medal for hosts Thailand in the World University Games yesterday.

After the men's 4x100 relay team set the tone by winning the country's first ever gold medal from athletics a day earlier, Patiwat quickly built on the momentum by successfully retaining the title he won in the previous edition in Turkey.

Having endured a lean spell since clinching Thailand's maiden gold medal in the Universiade two years ago, the Trang native timely recaptured his old form before rounding off one of his memorable days with his impressive win over his old foe Nassrazadany.

Up against the opponent he lost to in the final of the World Cup Championships in Bangkok last year, Patiwat was in sublime form. Even a point deduction failed to thwart the home fight to glory.

Both sides wasted no time in sizing up each other, trading powerful kicks with exhilaration before ending the business on equal terms at 3-3 in the first round. Patiwat caught his rival napping with a clever kick at a moment when the Iranian was unaware to surge ahead 4-3 in the second round.

In the final session, more aggressive trademark kicks put Patiwat ahead of the Iranian 6-3, prompting Nassrazadany to step forward in an attempt to close the gap, but it proved to no avail.

What seemed a certain victory became suddenly unsure after a point was taken away from Patiwat with only 10 seconds remaining. However, he ensured that there was no shocking twist by landing a powerful side-kick on the Iranian's body to wrap the result up, much to the joy of the jubilant home crowd, who crammed the venue at Thammasat University's Rangsit campus. "I'm so happy that I can win the title for two in a row. I was quite nervous and stressed out yesterday. I could not sleep until midnight.

"I started well in the opening rounds, but then my form was a bit sluggish. I owe the success to the Taekwondo Association of Thailand, and my family for supporting me," said a delighted Patiwat, whose face was soaked with sweat.

"I will continue to work hard in training to get ready for the Olympic qualifying tournament next month. I hope to win the Olympic gold, which is my ultimate target," said the Thai exponent, who covered himself with the Thai flag and ran around the court to celebrate the victory.

As for his big bonus of Bt1 million, which Patiwat will receive from the National Sports Development Fund, he will present it as a gift to his mother on Mother's Day tomorrow.

Patiwat's success did not come easily as he won the quarter-final tie against Turkey opponent Ridvan Baygut by the skin of his teeth.

Meanwhile, four-time Olympic medallist Kaitlin Sandeno of the United States won the women's 200-metre individual medley.  Sandeno finished in a Games-record time of two minutes, 12.13 seconds.

Yana Klochkova of the Ukraine, a former world record holder in the 400 individual medley, was second in 2:13.15. Klochkova held the previous Games mark of 2:13.32 set in 2003. The two duelled throughout the race before Sandeno, competing in her first Games, pulled away on the last lap. Svetlana Karpeeva of Russia was 1.2 seconds behind Klochkova to take the bronze.

The United States picked up their second swim gold of the night when the American men won the 4x100-metre freestyle relay in 3:16.06, more than two and a half seconds ahead of second-place Canada.

Russia lead the overall gold medal lead with six, thanks to the accuracy of their shooting team and wins in the women's shot putt and pole vault.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation