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Published on August 12, 2007

The Thai badminton squad, which included HRH Princess Siriv-annavari Nariratana, stunned title favourites China 3-2 to claim the third gold medal for the host country yesterday.

Led by Singapore Open champion Boonsak Ponsana, the Thai team came up with a superlative show at the Thammasat Rangsit campus.

After dominating Group A without dropping a single game to rivals South Africa, Zambia and France in the round-robin stage, Thailand received a bye in the quarter-finals to comfortably advance to the semi-finals, which guaranteed them a bronze medal.

Thailand maintained their devastating form against Taiwan in the semi-final yesterday morning, thrashing the less-experienced visitors 3-0 to set up a final meeting with China.

The Chinese side had struggled to beat Indonesia 3-2 in the other semi-final.

A large crowd of local spectators cheered on the hosts in the mixed team final clash against the formidable Chinese at Gymnasium 2 of the Thammasat Rangsit Sports Complex.

In the first rubber, the Thai mixed doubles pair of Sudket Prapakamol and Kunchala Voravichitchaikul proved too strong for Zhang Wei and Pan Pan, thrashing them in straight games 21-10 21-14.

The Chinese made amends in the second rubber when Wang Lin pulled off a dramatic 2-1 (21-918-21 21-17) victory over Salakjit Ponsana in the women's singles.

Thai ace Boonsak Ponsana, the world number 9 and Singapore Open champion, avenged his loss to world No 2 Chen Hong in the Thailand Open Grand Prix by brushing aside the Chinese in straight games 21-16 21-19 and helped the home team stretch the lead to 2-1.

However, China clawed their way back to level scores when Tian Qing and Pan Pan outclassed Thailand's Kunchala and Duang-anong Aroonkesorn in a hard-fought three-game thriller 21-17 18-21 21-17.

In the decider, Sudket teamed up with his regular partner Phattapol Ngernsrisuk to overpower Zhang Wei and Shen Ye 22-20 11-21 21-13 in a tough battle to help Thailand beat China 3-2.

After the victory, the Thai players ran into the court, hugging each other. Thailand had won the gold at the 2005 World University Badminton Championship at Kasetsart Gymnasium, but the competition there was not as tough as it was here.

A handsome Bt8 million cash incentive from the National Sport Development Fund awaits the team. Each player will be presented with Bt1 million but Sudket and Kunchala, who played in two doubles matches, will get Bt2 million apiece.

In the soccer competition earlier, Thailand, who were already assured of a place in the second round, went down 2-1 to the Czech Republic in their last Group A match.

Despite the result, the hosts still topped the group with six points. They will face Mexico, who finished runners-up in Group D, in the second round tomorrow.

Long-distance runner Boonthung Srisang finished a distant 11th in the men's half-marathon, clocking 1hr 11min 52secs, while team-mate Sutut Kallayanakitti came in 20th in 1:21.32.

A total of 25 runners competed in the event, which took place at 6.30am on the Chiang Rag Noi-Chiang Rag Yai Road, covering a distance of 21.10km.

In the women's category, Thailand's Pacharee Chaitongsri and Ketmanee Senaphan finished 15th and 17th in 1:25.20 and 1:36.31 respectively.

Thailand's fastest man Wachara Sondee, who was part of the squad which won Thailand's first gold in the men's 4x100m on Thursday, failed to qualify for the 100m final yesterday.

He ran a below-par 10.63 to finish fifth in the first semi-final. Only the top four qualified for the final.

In the volleyball competition, the Thai men's squad suffered their second loss yesterday, going down 2-3 to Canada. They had also lost their opening match against Egypt by the same margin.

The women's volleyball team, comprising national players, fared much better.

After a stunning 3-0 victory over Brazil on Friday night, the Thai girls, powered by hard-hitters Pluemjitr Thinkaew and Amphon Hyapha, were tied 1-1 with Russia late last night at the time of going to press.

Preechachan  Wiriyanupappong

The Nation

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