Pongsakorn and Wassana win
KUALA LUMPUR: Paralympic champion Pongsakorn Poyae lived up to expectations winning the 100m wheelchair racing (T52-53) event at the Asean Para Games yesterday.
Pongsakorn, who won two gold medals at the 2016 Paralympics, comfortably beat compatriots Pichet Krungket and Sopa Intasen as Thailand swept all three medals in the event.
The Khon Kaen native crossed the finish line in 14.82 seconds, ahead of silver medallist Pichet (16.02) and third-placed Sopa (16.37).
“This is my least favourite event and I am not very happy with my time,” Pongsakorn said.
Having won two gold medals in Kuala Lumpur, Pongsakorn said he was confident he would meet his target of taking three titles.
He will next compete in the 400m race. In the 200m wheelchair race (T54), Saichol Konjen won his second gold medal of the Kuala Lumpur event.
Having claimed the 100m title, Saichol finished the 200m race in 25.48 seconds.
In archery, Thailand swept both men’s and women’s recurve gold medals.
Wasana Khuthawisap beat Indonesia’s Vironika Ninik Umardyani 7-3 in the final
to win her fifth successive gold medal.
Victory was sweet for the 41-year-old Wassana, dubbed “Auntie Noi”, after she was unsuccessful in her competition with normal athletes at last month’s SEA Games, held in the same city.
“I was disappointed at the SEA Games so I was determined to win gold at the Asean Para Games,” she said.
Wassana said she would try to represent Thailand at the next SEA Games.
In the men’s event, Paralympic silver medallist Hanruechai Netsiri was in a class of his own defeating Giovanni Mawagay Ola of the Philippines 6-0 in the final.
Thailand are third with 29 golds behind Indonesia (65) and Malaysia (52). The tournament ends on Saturday.