PHUKET - Thailand were dominant in air sports on Friday winning six of eight gold medals on offer at the fourth Asian Beach Games.
A cheerleader at Karon beach.
The hosts remain overall leaders with 41 golds — one more than their pre-tournament target and 26 ahead of second-placed China.
With the huge lead with two days to go, Thailand have virtually secured the overall crown. They are expected to win many more gold medals in muay (Thai) and bodybuilding.
In air sports, Thailand yesterday swept six titles with Kittiphop Phrommat taking four.
Veerayuth Didyasarin, president of the Royal Aeronautic Sports Association of Thailand (RASAT), said his team exceeded expectations.
“We aimed to win four golds,” he said.
Thailand won another gold medal in extreme sports on Thursday night as they took home six out of 10 titles in the discipline.
In beach soccer, Iran beat Japan 4-3 to win gold while the UAE defeated Vietnam 8-2 in the bronze medal contest.
Thailand finished seventh after edging out China 3-2.
In beach volleyball, defending champions Varpatsorn Radarong and Tanarattha Udomchavee will meet compatriots Yupa Phokongploy and Usa Tenpaksee in the women’s semi-finals today.
Unfortunately, both Thai teams in the men’s event were defeated in the quarter-finals.
Thai players chase an Iranian player in a beach kabaddi match. Iran won 47-28.