Kuala Lumpur: Thai tennis player Luksika Kumkhum chose to compete for her country rather than for her own interest and her decision paid off at the SEA Games.
The 24-year-old star won the women's singles gold medal yesterday after beating Anna Clarice Patrimonio of the Philippines 6-0, 6-1 in the final.
Luksika skipped the qualifying event of the US Open, of which the main draw begins tomorrow, to play in Kuala Lumpur instead.
"I am very happy because this is my first SEA Games gold medal in the women's singles," world No.180 Luksika said.
Discus thrower Subenrat Insang celebrates her win.
"I am not disappointed that I missed the chance to play in the US Open qualifying round because I played for my country here."
She added: "The score may indicate it was an easy win for me but it wasn't. This was the first time I played against Anna."
Thailand also won another gold medal and a silver on the final day of tennis competition yesterday.
In the mixed doubles, Sanchai Ratiwatana and Nicha Lertpitaksinchai comfortably defeated Indonesian duo Christopher Rungkat and Jessy Rompies 6-1, 6-2 in the gold medal match.
In the men's singles, Jirat Navasirisomboon had to settle for silver after losing to Indonesia's Rungkat 6-4, 6-4.
Jirat said: "It was a tough match and I am disappointed that I could not raise my game. But winning silver is not too bad as I only expected a bronze."
The Thai tennis team took home a total of four golds in the women's singles, women's doubles, men's doubles and mixed doubles to meet their pre-tournament target.
In golf, Thailand won the women's team title but were runners-up in the men's team event.
In wakeboard, Thailand completed a one-two finish with Padiwat Jaemjan winning gold and Tatsanai Kuakoonrat silver in the men's open category.
Defending champion Padiwat, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, scored 69.78 points, Tatsanai 66.89 points and Mark Griffin of the Philippines took bronze with a score of 63 points.
In petanque, Thailand claimed gold in the men's team event.
In taekwondo, Oranawee Srisahakit and Pongporn Suvittayarak were crowned champions in mixed doubles poomse (dance).
In shooting, Yodchai Phachonyut secured gold in the men's trap event.
In athletics, Subenrat Insang was champion in the women's discus throw while the men's 4x400m team also took gold.
Thai wakeboard gold medallist Padiwat Jaemjan in action in men's open event.
Taekwondo stars Oranawee Srisahakit, left, and Pongporn Suvittayarak.
Shooting champion Yodchai Phachonyut.