There’s Gold in Pattaya watersLocal Asian Games athletes push Thailand over the top in record setting year Thai windsurfers Arun Homrareun and Suhaimee Muhamadkasem, and Sattahip Navy sailor Damrongsak Vongtim all won Gold medals in the 13th Asian Games on Sunday, December 13th to give Thailand her 11th, 12th and 13th Gold medals in this year’s Games, breaking the previous record for Thailand and ensuring the Kingdom’s best showing ever in Asian Games competition.
Enjoying strong winds brought on by two passing typhoons, the trio of Thai water sportsmen gained impressive victories over a strong field of competitors.
Arun Homrareun flew out to an early lead in the waters of Jomtien Beach, then held on to edge out Taiwan’s Ted Huang in the Men’s Mistral division by one point. Suhaimee Muhamadkasem added to the Gold Medal tally with an impressive victory in the Raceboard Heavyweight division, also sailed off Jomtien Beach. Damrongsak Vongtim, considered by many to be Thailand’s best yachtsman, sailed out to a commanding lead and never looked back en route to earning Gold in the Open Super Moth division, sailed in Damrongsak’s home waters at Dong Tan Bay in Sattahip. The Thai yachting team also picked up 1 silver and 4 bronze medals. Wandee Vongtim and Teeranuch Wonrak teamed up to win Silver in the Women’s 420 Class. Kookiart Sakulfaeng won a bronze in the Men’s Mistral Heavyweight category, Wiwat Phoonphat and Kittiphong Khamban earned Bronze in the Men’s 420 Class, Praphawadee Damdaengdee earned Bronze in the Women’s Optimist Division, and Master Sergeant Sermsak Moolprasert took home the Bronze in the Men’s OK Class. |
Thailand’s previous best performance in the
Games came in 1966 when the Kingdom earned 12 Golds in Bangkok.
Gold Medallists Arun Homraruen, Suhaimee
Muhamadkasem (above) and Damrongsak Vongtim (left) ensured Thailand’s best ever
showing in the Asian Games.