• 
• 

Published on December 4, 2007

 Thailand's marksmen wrapped up the skeet and trap competition yesterday with a remarkable performance in the individual and team events at the Hua Mark Shooting Range.

The trio of Jiranunt Hathaichukiat, Krisada Varadharmapinich and Pitipoom Phasee fired 117, 114 and 111 respectively for a combined total of 342 for the team gold before Jiranunt went on to dominate the individual category.

The Thai team thus reclaimed the title they won in 1999, 2001 and 2003. Defending champions Phili-ppines had to settle for the silver with an aggregate of 334, followed by Singapore with 328.

The latest gold medals extended the hosts' reign at the top of the medals tally with a haul of 14 gold ahead of the official opening of the Games on December 6. Singapore and Vietnam are second and third with eight and seven gold respectively.

Competing with his favourite "Beretta 682" rifle, 21-year-old Jiranunt finally won an individual Games gold medal after first taking to the sport six years back. "Everybody in the team did a good job to win the team event. The individual gold made me happier as I am now the best in the Asean region,'' said the delighted English major student from ABAC University.

The Thai sharpshooter entered the final round with the best score of 117 in qualifying. He shot three better than veteran countryman Krisada.

"I believed in my chance with a three-point lead. But at one stage he caught up with me and I was just a point ahead.

"But at station No 6, I shot so well that I knew I was not going to miss this,'' said Jiranunt who destroyed 21 targets in the final for a total score of 138.Jiranunt has now set his sights on the No 1 position in Asia as he is scheduled to take part in the Asian Shooting Championships in Kuwait next week."My next challenge is to win gold medals in the Asian Championships and the

Asian Games. I want to know howit feels to be No 1 in Asia,'' added the Thai shooter who dedicated this victory to his parents.

Kisdada, who is a dentist by profession, had to be content with the silver with a total of 136. "I knew he was going to win the final anyway because he is at the top of his form. But I am fine with one silver and one gold,'' said the veteran shooter.

The bronze went to Singapore's Chiew Huanlin Eugene whose top score of 23 points in the final placed him third with a total 134. Singapore won the overall title in the skeet and trap competition, taking four of the seven gold on offer. Thailand claimed the other three.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation