SUPHAN BURI : Hosts Suphan Buri enjoyed a gold rush yesterday and now are looking forward to winning the overall title.
Left: Natthanan Jankrajang wins the women’s 200m freestyle for Chon Buri; right: Nakhon Ratchasima’s Sinpetch Kruaythong wins three golds in the men’s 56kg. PHOTOS BY TAWATCHAI KEMGUMNERD
Suphan Buri yesterday claimed 17 gold medals to lead the medal table with 26 golds. Their gold medals included five in karatedo and three each in gymnastics, shooting and weightlifting.
In swimming, Chiang Mai took three golds, including two from national star Nattapong Ket-in. Veteran Natthanan Jankrajang won gold in the women's 200m freestyle for Chon Buri and set a new record of 2.02.46 minutes.
In weightlifting, defending champion Sinpetch Kruaythong earned three gold medals for Nakhon Ratchasima in the men's 56kg.
Wutthisak Pinwiset, an official at the Suphan Buri Sports Association, said the hosts could win the overall crown.
"Our athletes were well-prepared for the Games," he said. "If we can play to our standards, we can win the overall title. Also, Bangkok athletes have had poor results in some sports."
But he admitted that the province needed a bit of luck to take the overall title at the 42nd National Games.
They are hosting the tournament for the third time and won the overall title in 1994 when they first hosted.
In the last edition in Chiang Mai, Suphan Buri came in third with 52 golds while Bangkok took 100 golds with Chon Buri finishing second with 65.
This time, Suphan Buri also want to impress the visitors as they invested a huge sum to stage the Games.
"We spent 29 million baht for the opening and closing ceremonies," Wutthisak said.
There will be 73 golds up for grabs today including 12 golds in athletics. The tournament ends on Jan 15.
STANDINGS
!G !S !B !Total!
Suphan Buri! 26!10!9!45!
Bangkok !5!16!12!33!
Nakhon Ratchasima !5!3!2!10!
Samut Sakhon! 3!3!3!9 !
Chiang Mai !3!1!1!5!
Chon Buri !2!3!5!10!
Nonthaburi! 2!3!3!8!