Sinphet wins bronze medal but loses grandmother

The 21-year-old Sinphet, who took three medals including a gold at the last year’s IWF Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Poland and three medals including one gold in this year’s Asian Weightlifting Cham-pionships in Uzbekistan, lifted 132kg in the snatch and 157kg in his second attempt in the clean and jerk for a combined lift of 289kg in the Olympic Total.

Thailand have won four gold medals in the Olympic Games weightlifting competition, all of them in the women’s classes. Sinphet’s bronze made him the first-ever Thai man to win an Olympic medal.

Shortly after Thai fans saw Sinphet’s success at the Rio Games, they received the news that Subin Kongtub died of a heart attack while cheering his grandson at home in Surin.

Sinphet was making his second attempt in snatch, when his grandma collapsed. His cousins rushed her to Chumphon Buri Hospital in Surin but was pronounced dead on arrival. The assumption is that she died of Ischemic heart disease.

Sinphet is due to return to Thailand on August 16. His mother Chan said she is very happy for her son.

“I would like to thank all Thai fans who have supported my son Sinphet. We will go to Suvarnabhumi Airport to pick him up. We are also saddened by the sudden death of his grandmother,” she said.

By winning the bronze, Sinphet is assured of Bt4 million as incentive from the National Sports Development Fund. 

During an interview with local press ahead of the competition, Sinphet’s grandmother said she missed her grandson but was overjoyed by his sporting journey. 

“I cheer him on, fight fight! I miss my grandson and want him to be successful. He does this for the country to bring the gold medal back,” she said. 

Sinphet was the second Thai athlete to win a medal in Rio, following a gold secured by female weightlifter Sopita Tanasan in the 48-kilogramme category on Saturday. 

Today, Thai fans will cheer for Pimsiri Sirikaew, who won silver at the London Games four years ago, when she competes in the women’s 58kg event.

 

16-year-old world record

Long broke a 16-year-old world record and North Korean Om’s heart.

With the victory, Long ended Om’s four-year dominance of the men’s lightest weight category.

“It’s been my dream to break this record since 2008. It’s really hard, all the days and years I’ve spent thinking about it but I’ve done it and I’m so happy,” said Long.

The 25-year-old, who won gold in Beijing eight years ago, dramatically set a new Olympic record of 170kg with his last attempt in the clean and jerk, pipping defending champion Om into second place.

The Chinese star earlier raised 137 kg above his head in the snatch as he Om and went toe-to-toe in a fierce battle that wowed the crowd.

Fans-favourite Om, who won gold at London 2012, was his trademark lively self throughout, smiling and waving at spectators and punching the air in celebration after every successful lift.

He recorded scores of 134kg in the snatch and 169kg in the clean and jerk to finish on a total of 303kg, 14kg ahead of bronze medallist Sinphet.

Om, who stands at only 1.5 metres, has won three straight world championships since taking London by storm four years ago.

“I’m disappointed and there’s nothing more I can really say about it,” a dejected Om said when asked about the end of his long reign at the top.

“I just want to offer my congratulations to my Chinese colleague,” the 24-year-old added.

Long did not compete in London and said it had been difficult to prepare for his second tilt at glory in Rio.

“It was tough but I never gave up. With the help of my family I made it through,” he said.