Thailand's medals tally up to 16 in Asian Para Games

Thailand's medals tally up to 16 in Asian Para Games

Table tennis duo Dararat Asayut (right) and Pattaravadee Vararit celebrate their win.
Table tennis duo Dararat Asayut (right) and Pattaravadee Vararit celebrate their win.

The Thai table tennis team shone brightly yesterday winning five gold medals at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta.

Thailand also won several titles in boccia, fencing and athletics.

At press time on Wednesday night, Thailand were seventh in the medal standings with 16 gold medals.

They were behind runaway leaders China (104), South Korea (38), Iran (30), Uzbekistan (25), Indonesia (23) and Japan (22).

Thailand aim to finish sixth overall and be the best team among Southeast Asian nations.

In Wednesday's table tennis action, Rungroj Thainiyom, the 2012 Paralympic champion, claimed his second gold medal of the Jakarta Games when he won the men's doubles TT6-7 title with Chalermpong Punpoo.

Thailand's other successful table tennis players included Dararat Asayut and Pattaravadee Vararit in the women's doubles TT1-3.

Dararat also won the mixed doubles title with Anurak Lavawong.

Wheelchair fencer Saysunee Jana, the 2012 Paralympic champion, secured gold in the women's epee.

In boccia, Worawut Saengampa won the gold medal in the individual BC2 category after beating fellow Thai Watcharaphon Vongsa 4-2 in the final.

It was a repeat of the gold medal match at the previous Games in Incheon four years ago -- and the result then was the same, with Worawut winning the all-Thailand final.

However, Worawut said he did not really expect to emulate his own achievement in 2014.

"I did not push myself to win the match. For me it's more important to stay cool and perform my best. My rivals offered strong opposition," Worawut said.

Playing in a rematch against Watcharaphon did not cause Worawut to slow the game's pace. Instead, he stretched himself to the limit to entertain the crowd.

The Games end on Saturday.

Boccia star Worawut Saengampa in action in the final.

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