SUPHAN BURI : Chon Buri are resigned to finishing outside the top two in the medal standings at the National Games after finishing runner-up to Bangkok at the last three editions.
Khon Kaen players, orange, vie against hosts Suphan Buri during the women’s soccer semi-final. PHOTOS BY TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
"It is impossible for us to come in second again," Chon Buri chief Thongjing Siriphaiboon said. "But the third place is not too bad."
After eight days, Chon Buri had 40 gold medals while Suphan Buri had 171 and Bangkok 108.
After winning 65 golds at the Chiang Mai Games last year, Chon Buri lowered their target to 45 golds at this year's competition. Some of their athletes decided to represent Suphan Buri while weightlifters were prevented by their association from representing their provinces.
Meanwhile, Nonthaburi official Paramet Pakdikiripaiwan said his province could have won 10 more gold medals had they not suffered an exodus of talent, with some of their top contenders lured by the hosts.
Nonetheless, Paramet conceded it is the way sport is now administered, with players inclined to pursue their ambitions.
"Even without some good athletes, we still hope to finish in the top six on the medal table," he said.
In Muay Thai yesterday, Suphan Buri took two out of six gold medals. Rattanaporn Harnpan stopped Buriram's Atchara Banratahi to take the gold for Suphan Buri in the women's 48kg. They also claimed gold from Ratchadaporn Wiharntham in the women's 57kg.
In taekwondo, Ratchneeporn Ngernbamroong of Suphan Buri upset current SEA Games gold medallist Sarita Pongsri of Trat 7-6 in the women's 57kg. The hosts also won another gold from Sorasart Poolwong in the men's 68kg.
Anyawin Suphatheeralert won all four golds for Bangkok on the last day of rhythmic gymnastics. However, it was the hosts who dominated the sport with nine golds, followed by Bangkok (six), and Samut Sakhon (two).
Also, Khon Kaen beat Suphan Buri 5-0 in the semi-finals of the women's football. It was another disappointing result for the hosts after their men's team had earlier lost in the quarter-finals. In the final tomorrow, Khon Kaen will face defending champions Chon Buri, who saw off Si Sa Ket 5-2 in the semi-finals.
In bodybuilding, Wichai Singthong won gold for Samut Sakhon in the men's 70kg.
In table tennis, Bangkok won two out of three golds in the men's singles (Nikhom Wongsiri) and mixed doubles (Anisra Muangsuk and Nikhom Wongsiri).
STANDINGS
!G! S! B! T!
Suphan Buri! 171!65!68!304!
Bangkok !63!84!75!222!
Chon Buri !40!38!35!113!
Chiang Mai !18!20!26!64!
Nakhon Ratchasima !16!26!19!61!
Nonthaburi! 16!22!28!66!
Samut Sakhon !14!15!12!41!
Suphan Buri’s Rattanaporn Harnpan, left, fights Buriram’s Atchara Banratahi.
Wichai Singthong wins a bodybuilding gold for Samut Sakhon in the men’s 70kg.