Thai bowling teams skittle rivals to win gold and silver

The all-conquering threesome of Sithipol Kunakorn, Surasak Manuwong and Atchariya Cheng posted a combined score of 4,113 for Thailand’s first bowling gold medal in the Games. Compatriots Kim Bolleby, Annop Arromsaranon and Yannaphon Larpapharat came second with 3,905 points while Indonesia finished third with 3,880.

Thailand on Wednesday won three gold medals including men’s billiard doubles from Praprut Chaithanasakun and Thawat Sujaritthurakarn and from men's skeet competition from Jiranunt Hathaichukiat.

 Praprut Chaithanasakun and Thawat Sujaritthurakarn 

Jiranunt defended his skeet individual  gold medal when he beat Malaysian hope Joo Kit Joseph Lee 50-48 in the gold medal battle during the final of the men’s s competition at the National Shooting Range Centre.

The 31-year-old Bangkokian has won the event three straight times with the his first gold coming in the 2007 meet in Nakhon Ratchasima. Skeet was removed from the Games between 2009 and 2013, but Jiranunt won again when it was reintroduced to the regional competition in Singapore two years ago.

“I’m delighted with my performance as I didn’t put myself under pressure. I was focused and taking it one shot at a time,” said Jiranunt, who produced the second gold medal for the Thai shooting team after darkhorse Natphanlert Auapinyakul won the men’s 50m pistol on Tuesday.

Jiranunt Hathaichukiat 

“My goal is to keep producing good results for Thailand. I hope to create public awareness about skeet shooting,” said the champion. Compatriot Tanapat Janpanich came third.

A week into the Games, the  Kingdom’s performance has been far from impressive with fewer than 20 gold medals in the bag towards the overall target of 120. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha expressed his concern through Government spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd that individual Thai athletes had tended to underperform compared to teams. He urged the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to meet with sports associations to find solutions to improve the standard of athletes.

In karate, three Thais made it to the finals though none managed to win gold.  Arm Sukkhiaow, in the men’s under-61kg, Kanokwan Kwanwong, in women’s under-68kg, and Thirawat Klungthong, in men’s over-75kg, were no match for their rivals and had to settle for silver.

In fencing, Pornsawan Ngernrungruangroj and Panthawit Chamcharern had to settle for the same after coming second in the women’s individual sabre and men’s individual epee.  

In athletics, In athletics, Jirapong Meenapra crossed the finish line in 21.22 seconds to win the men’s 200m silver medal while T Anthony Beram won the gold in just 20.84 seconds. Kittipong Boonmawan took the silver in the men’s hammer throw (65.49 m).

Jirapong Meenapra 

The women's 4x200m freestyle relay team won the silver after timing 8:16.17 minutes.