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Published on December 1, 2007

Veteran sharpshooter Opas Ruengpanyawut helped Thailand reach their targetted mark by sealing 10 out of 26 gold medals on offer in the 24th SEA Games with his 26th gold in his national career.

The 52-year-old shooter, who had entered the final in the second from the bottom, fired the highest score of 196.8 for the gold in the men's 25m rapid fire pistol individual.

"I was impatient in the qualifying. Fortunately, I shot well in the final. I had thought that I would absolutely finish top three while I was waiting for the duel of the last two competitors as I made full score in two series," he said.

"We should [have] hit the target earlier than this as we conceded two gold medals in the 10m air pistol on the opening day. And I'm delighted we finally reached the target of the association for the country," Opas said.

His team-mate Pruet Sriyaphan, who earlier won the 25m standard pistol gold medal, failed to grab his second medal after finishing sixth.

Amir Hasan Hasli Izwan of Malaysia shot a tally of 760.2 to take the silver medal, with his compatriot Adzha Hakiz following closely in the third place, one point behind.

The trio of Opas, Pruet and Pongpol Kulchairattana also sealed the bronze in the team event with an aggregate 1,672. Malaysia shot a sum of 1,697 to snatch the gold, leaving Vietnam in second spot.

Earlier, up-and-coming Attapon Ueaaree overcame his nervousness to scoop both gold medals in the men's 50m rifle prone category. The dark horse Attapon, who had hidden his panic under his calm face, seized the first gold of the day with an aggregate 691.2.

"My heart had missed a beat throughout the final. I had to shoot for the last one in every round as I was trying to find my rhythm. My firearm was trembling all the time," said the 18-year-old Attapon.

Other Thai qualifier Tavarit Majchacheep, who produced the best scores in the final, settled for the fourth.

"I did my best, but other ones were better than me. I had to accept it. I didn't regret with the result as I think only the country's perspective," the veteran Tavarit said.

Aung Lin of Burma and Nguyen Tan-nam of Vietnam took the silver and the bronze with the similar scores of 688.9.

Attapon, Tavarit and Komkrit Kongnamchok also brought the Kingdom the second gold of the day with a combined 1,672 in the team event.

Trailing in seven points behind, Burma bagged the silver, with Singapore claiming the bronze in the following seven points.

In the trap and skeet category, Athimeth Khamkasem, Patrachatra Vichiensun and Yosawat Phakka-anunchai shot an aggregate 348 to give the host the men's double trap 150-target team's silver.

Singapore stamped the gold with an impressive tally of 368, while the silver medal was won by shooters from Malaysia.

Athimeth also picked up the bronze in the individual class after firing 159 points. "The bronze was OK as my shooting was irregular today. However, I did my best and I'm happy for taking two medals," he said.

Choo Choon-seng and Tan Chee-keong from Singapore swept the gold and the silver medals. 

After four days at the shooting range, Thailand still top the standings with 10 gold, 11 silver and four bronze, which Peera Piromrat, head of Thai staff coach, thought was target achieved.

A total of six gold medals are up for grabs today.

According to Peera, the Thai shooters stand a good chance of claiming gold medals in three categories.

Somporn Suphop

The Nation