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Published on December 7, 2007

Thais have been perennially crowned the overall SEA Games champions in track-and-field. In the 18th Chiang Mai edition in 1995 they were in terrific form to return with their heads held high by capturing  22 gold medals in the Games.

A total of 10 gold medals are up for grabs today in the athletics competition, starting at 8.45am with the 100m in the decathlon event, in which the host country will be represented by veteran Boonket Chalon and Viravuth Jampathong.

Among six events where Thais aim to retain their titles are the men's shot put, in which Chatchawal Polyiam won with a 17.06m throw and the men's triple jump, where Theerayuth Pilakong will be out to prove he is the best.

Hurdle queen Wassana Vinatho, a triple-gold medallist at the 2001 Games, is also a hot favourite to defend her 400m hurdles title. The 27-year-old from Kanchanaburi shaved her head after she won the gold in Manila two years ago, to keep a promise.

Buaban Pamang, the surprise winner at the Doha Asiad women's javelin, is tipped to topple all challengers after her invincible throws to win gold in the Asian Championships and a clean sweep of the three-leg Asian Grand Prix.

Buaban, who has already booked a berth to compete in Beijing Olympics, hopes to better her Games record of 55.06

m she set in Manila two years ago.

The long-striding Boon-thung Srisang is looking forward to making it three times in a row in the men's 5,000m.

After underlining his credentials as the Kingdom's fastest man in the Thailand Open King's Cup twice, reigning 100m champion Watchara Sondee, also a bronze medallist in last year's Doha Asian Games, is expected to retain his title on home soil.

Another star to watch is Nongnuch Sanrat, who won the silver medal in the women's 100m last time, behind Vietnam's Vu Thi Huong.

Three more gold medals from the men's hammer and 400m hurdles and the women's 1,500m will also be contested on the opening day.

Preechachan Wiriyanupappong

 The Nation

Nakhon Ratchasima