Thais high, mighty in Day One

The Philippines failed to make an impact in Day One of the third ASEAN Para Games, even losing one gold it thought it won through Cheryl Canta in shot put, even as Thailand opened its title-retention bid on a high note by romping away with 16 gold medals at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex yesterday.

Wongpaka Jantawong, Samat Nambut, Suphat Punsiri, Aphiwat Anghiran, Preyanut Sukcharem, Somchai Nakprom, Voravit Kaewkham, Somyot Sittichai, Rawin Salungyoo and Wee Wongnonthpoom accounted for 10 of Thailand’s golden splurge in the pool while six others lorded it over the field in the track and field event later in the day.

The Philippines was earlier listed as having copped a gold medal courtesy of Canta in shot put for double-leg amputees. But after verification, organizers found out that Myanmar’s Tin Tin Khaing topped the event with a heave of 5.58m against the Filipino lass’ 5.53.

Thailand was simply dominant in a number of fronts.

Suthon Butkrim copped the gold in men’s discus throw in the double amputee class with 31.12 to spark the Thais’ afternoon effort. He prevailed over countryman Satian Thongdee and RP’s Ruben Canoza, who threw a 25.34 and a 19.48 for the silver and the bronze, respectively.

Wanne Ladee followed it up by ruling women’s shot put for double-arm amputees with 6.54, out heaving Indonesia’s Vironika Umardyani (6.35) and Vietnam’s Ngo Thi Nhung (6.20).

Then came Surang Khamsuk, who won the gold in women’s shot put for single amputees and Sayan Sriin in men’s 100 meters for single arm class.

Vietnam had three golden performances, its third submitted by Ho Pham Uyen Phuong in the 100m for the totally blind in 15.05, a new national record.

Myanmar also won one gold, thanks to Aung Gyi in men’s discus throw for single leg amputees while Malaysia also scooped one courtesy of Genearal Lieh in men’s 100m for athletes with partial sight.

Earlier in the day, Thailand and Vietnam struck early and snatched a pair of gold medals each at the tracks.

Nguyen Van Thinh and Nguyen Thi Cao Nguyen delivered the golden performances for the Vietnamese while the Thais found gems in Wasun Junthimatom and Prawat Wathoram.

Van Thin copped the men’s discus throw gold with a distance of 25.55, besting Tee Beng Heng of Malaysia.

Tee, who heaved a 25.44, settled for the silver being the only other participant in the event.

Thi Cao, on the other hand, ruled the women’s 500-meter by clocking 17 minutes and 59.36 seconds, beating RP bets Cherrylyn dela Cruz and Odessa Buenflor.

Dela Cruz timed 20:25.63 to finish with the silver while Buenflor clocked 20:32.31 for the bronze.

Juntinmatorn ruled the men’s shot put with 8.66 over silver medalist Malaysia’s Ahamd Zabidi Mustaffa (8.47) and bronze medal winner local bet Danilo Baliwang (8.07).

Wathoram, for his part, reigned supreme in the men’s 500m in 12:10.10. He defeated compatriots Sumat Phanalai (12:23.68) and Sopa Intasen (12:47.78), who settled for the silver and bronze medals, respectively.