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Published on September 21, 2007

Prapawadee, who went by the name of Junpim Kuntatean and who is a successor to Athens Olympics heroine Udomporn Polsak, failed in her third attempt at 96kg in the snatch and collapsed on the platform, aggravating the torn ligaments she had sustained prior to the competition. The 2005 snatch champion was stretchered out and taken to Maharaj Nakhon Chiang Mai hospital. Doctors found her elbow joint dislocated. Officials said her condition is so severe that she will have to pull out of the SEA Games in December.

"But for the injury, she would have definitely won because Li Ping was not at her best. It's unfortunate that this had to happen. She will not recover in three months," said Intarat Yodbangtoey of the Thai Amateur Weightlifting Association.

Now Thailand's hopes rest on Olympics bronze medallist Wandee Kameaim who will be in action in the women's 58kg tomorrow. South Korean dark horse Yoon Jin-hee and Belarusian Nastassia Novikava lifted an identical weight of 94kg in the snatch. But the Korean's body weight was lighter - 52.61kg to 52.83kg - and took the gold.

Chinese Li Ping took the bronze after lifting 93kg, the same weight as Prapawadee. Ping weighed 52.70kg against the Thai's 52.85kg.

Though she failed to sparkle in the snatch, Li, the triple gold medallist in 2005, salvaged her pride by dominating the clean and jerk with a lift of 126kg and the Olympic total with a combined 219kg.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

The Nation

Chiang Mai