Despite being dealt a hammer blow by a shock loss in the men’s sepak takraw team event, Thailand yesterday remained firmly on course to reclaim the overall title after snatching 35 gold medals — their biggest single-day haul so far — to surge well past the century mark at the 33rd SEA Games on Sunday.
Gone are the days when the Kingdom and Malaysia closely battled for supremacy in the sport both claimed originated from their countries. Nineteen-time champions Thailand had reeled off 17 successive titles in the regional sporting extravaganza since 1991.
The Thais’ long-standing reign, however, came crashing to a shuddering halt after their perennial rivals turned the tables with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory, condemning the hosts to the ignominy of losing the crown on home soil.
The Thai women’s team, though, salvaged some pride by clinching their seventh successive team title with a 2-0 victory over Vietnam.
There were jubilant scenes at Chon Buri Sports School following Thai weightlifter Weeraphon Wichuma’s world record-breaking triumph in the men’s 71kg division.
After comfortably succeeding in all three snatch attempts, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist saved his best for the clean and jerk by lifting 195kg to eclipse the previous world record of 194kg — which he himself set at the 2025 World Championships in October — sparking roars of delight from the crowd.
Weeraphon’s lift also helped him set a new personal total of 347kg, shaving one kilogram off his previous world record. His winning total was well clear of Filipino Albert Ian Delos Santos, who claimed silver with 324kg, while Vietnam’s Duc Toan Nguyen took bronze with 305kg.
“So happy. The SEA Games are the only event I had never competed in before. I’m surely satisfied with the new world record. In training, I achieved lifts around that weight. Sooner rather than later, I think I can exceed 200kg in the clean and jerk,” said a delighted Weeraphon.
Another home weightlifter, Patsaphong Thongsuk, also enjoyed a memorable victory in the men’s 65kg division.
Trailing in third place after the snatch session, the 20-year-old outshone his rivals in the clean and jerk with a successful 173kg lift in his third attempt to claim gold with a total of 307kg, edging Malaysia’s Muhamad Aznil Bidin by a single kilogram.
“It’s my first Games appearance. I did feel the pressure competing against senior athletes, but this result is beyond my expectations. From now on, I’ll prepare for next year’s Asian Games,” said Patsaphong.
The hosts marked the inauguration of baseball5 at the SEA Games with a 2-0 victory (9-8, 4-2) over Indonesia in the final.
Thai golfers lit up the Siam Country Club Pattaya course with a record-equaling feat, sweeping all four titles on offer for the first time in a decade.
Fresh from winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in the United Arab Emirates in October, Pongsapak “Fifa” Laopakdee underlined his credentials by capturing the men’s individual title with a four-round total of 267 strokes, finishing 10 shots clear of Vietnam’s Minh Nguyen Anh.
In the women’s individual event, Thai golfers sealed the top two spots, with Prim Prachnakorn winning on 279 strokes, six ahead of Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul.
Thailand’s dominance was even more pronounced in the team events, as they claimed both men’s and women’s titles by commanding margins.
“I played quite well today, although emotions got the better of me at times. Still, finishing under par is satisfying,” said Pongsapak.
“For the team event, I told the boys not to get complacent despite our healthy lead. Full credit to them for their consistency.”
Baseball Association of Thailand president Pol Col Duangchote Suwannacharas said the team’s success could help popularise the sport nationwide.
“Winning baseball5 at its SEA Games debut on Thai soil is very satisfying. We aim to organise regular competitions and promote it further. The sport is easy to play, requires little equipment and minimal space,” he said.
Veteran rider Chalermcharn Yotviriyapanit rolled back the years to help Thailand reclaim the mixed team dressage gold for the first time in 30 years. He was the sole surviving member of the team that last won the title in Chiang Mai.
Seasoned cyclist Jutatip Maneephan clinched her third successive women’s criterium road title, finishing ahead of Malaysia’s Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir, while Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi That settled for bronze.
Thai jet ski riders were equally dominant, claiming five of six titles, including the mixed runabout 1100 stock class won by 21-year-old Sasina Phiwngam, dubbed the “wonder girl” of Thai jet ski.
Their performance delighted Thai Jet Sports Boating Association president Pol Gen Dechnarong Sutticharnbancha.
“I’m extremely proud of the five SEA Games titles. Their success is a testament to their international calibre,” he said.
Ten-year-old Chunkao “Mini” Udomphen grabbed headlines with her stunning victory in the women’s street skateboarding event, scoring 160.34 points — well clear of Indonesia’s Wayan Malana Fairbrother (125.42). Olympian Vareeraya Sukasem finished third with 111.18.
Thailand’s sailing team also made waves by sweeping four of the seven titles on offer.
At Central Westgate Shopping Mall, the Thai women’s table tennis team thrilled home fans by snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, rallying from 2-1 down to beat Singapore 3-2 and secure their third straight title.
Meanwhile, the Thai women’s volleyball team cruised into the final with a 3-0 semifinal win over Indonesia. The 16-time champions will face Vietnam in Monday’s final.
Thailand also swept both men’s and women’s rugby titles, while swimmers added a fourth gold with victory in the women’s 4x200m freestyle relay.
As of press time, Thailand were comfortably atop the medal standings with 130 golds, 77 silvers and 46 bronzes. Indonesia trailed a distant second with just 39 golds.
