Laos glitters on Monday with 15 golds
Muay Lao fighters won two gold medals yesterday, bringing the total gold medal haul for Laos to 15.
Soukhan Taipanyavong strikes out at the head of his Philippine opponent Roland Claro in the men's muay light flyweight 48kg gold medal fight yesterday.
In muay events yesterday Laos competed in four gold medal bouts, but achieved victory in only two of them, as other hopefuls failed to pick up the gold medals they were chasing.
The day started out with disappointment for Laos when Bounchanh Sengpaseuth, who won gold at the last SEA Games in Thailand in 2007, could only manage a silver medal on home soil.
She lost her SEA Games title to Thai opponent Molthira Vatanapackdee in the 45kg pinweight bout, the first bout of the day.
But the hope of thousands of Lao supporters who crowded into the Beungkhayong Sport Centre in anticipation of a gold medal was rewarded in the second bout when 18-year-old Soukhan Taipanyavong easily beat Roland Claro of the Philippines in the men’s light flyweight 48kg division.
“I am very happy to have won this gold medal on my SEA Games debut,” Soukhan said.
“But today it’s not just me and my parents who are delighted. I hope that all fans inside the stadium and those who are watching television all around the country will gather to celebrate. Thank you for cheering for me and supporting me during the fight.”
The second gold medal in muay Lao came in the bantamweight 54kg division from 18-year-old Noukhit Latsaphao after he toughed it out over a strong rival from Thailand, Anuchit Sathit.
Another silver medal came from Vixay Bounthavy in the men’s lightweight 60kg division after he lost to Zaidin Laruan from the Philippines.
Angkor Mingxo took the bronze medal in the women’s flyweight 51kg category.
The total medal haul for the muay Lao team yesterday was two gold, two silver and one bronze medal.
Today, the muay Lao team will fight in three more gold medal bouts, beginning at 3pm at the Beungkhayong Sport Centre.
More gold medals were in store for Laos yesterday. They included one from Khamla Xayavong in the women’s 10m running target mixed in shooting, and one in the women’s doubles in petanque.
Source: Vientiane Times
By Sisay Vilaysack
Decembe 15, 2009
