Thailand's sepak takraw team completed their SEA Games campaign with a sixth gold medal, the latest in the women's double team event at the Wunna Theikdi Indoor Stadium B in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday.
The Kingdom's team beat the hosts 3-0 to collect their fourth straight win in the five-nation round-robin tournament that earned them the gold medal. By winning six golds, the team will get Bt9.8 million as a reward from the government. The first team of Massaya Duangsri and Payom Srihongsa struck first blood with a straight-sets win 21-12 21-18.Then Thailand's second team, represented by Somruedee Pruepruk and Rungthip Tanakhung, took the second point with a 21-12 21-18 win, which earned Thailand the victory regardless of the result of the final tie, which Chonthicha Maneesri and Jariya Srisawat won 21-11 21-14.
Thailand won in all six categories in which they took part in the SEA Games sepak takraw competition. They previously won the men's team, men's regu team, women's team, women's regu team and men's circle gold medals."Winning six gold medals, some of which Myanmar hoped to win, shows the character of our players, who did an excellent job. We must prepare the team for the Asian Games in South Korea next year, which will be very tough. South Korea has been training for four years and can beat tough teams like Malaysia and Vietnam. We cannot underestimate them," said national team manager Tawat Kumthapongpanich.