POWERFUL ATHLETE
Thipwara claims silver at Youth Olympics
>> Weightlifter Thipwara Chontavin secured a silver medal for Thailand at the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires on Friday.
The 15-year-old hoisted 88kg in snatch and 114kg in clean and jerk for a total of 202kg to finish second in the women’s 63kg division behind Kumushkhon Fayzullaeva of Uzbekistan.
The champion was in a class of her own as she lifted 94kg in snatch and 124kg in clean and jerk for a total of 218kg.
Thipwara pipped Galya Shatova for the silver medal after the Bulgarian managed a total of 201kg (90kg in snatch and 111kg in clean and jerk).
Also on Friday, Thai badminton star Phittayaporn Chaiwan beat Singapore’s Jaslyn Hooi Yue Yann in the bronze medal match of the women’s singles.
The Thai star had few problems as she cruised to a 21-9, 21-13 win over the Singaporean.
Thailand have won one gold, three silver and one bronze medals at the third Youth Olympics in Argentina’s capital.
Russia are overall leaders with 21 gold medals, followed by Hungary (11), Japan (seven), Italy (six) and China (six).
Thailand hope to win a couple of medals in boxing before the tournament ends on Friday.
The Thais bagged three gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the 2014 Games in Nanjing, China.