"Som" Wins Bronze to Conclude "Hangzhou Games" - Thai Powerlifters Secure 1 Silver and 3 Bronze Medals
"Som" Duangaksorn Chaidee showcased her strength and clinched a bronze medal in the Women's over 87kg category, bringing pride to the Thai weightlifting team as they concluded their campaign at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. Her performance reflects the team's determination to excel on the international stage.
The weightlifting competition, which marked the culmination of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, witnessed Thailand adding to their medal tally. "Som" Duangaksorn Chaidee, the medalist, had previously secured a bronze medal at the 18th Asian Games held in Indonesia.
Starting with the snatch, Duangaksorn successfully lifted 115kg, 118kg, and 120kg on her three attempts. Her highest snatch was recorded at 120kg, ranking her third overall. The top two spots were held by South Korean lifters, Park Hyejeong, who lifted 125kg, and Son Younghee, who lifted 124kg.
In the clean and jerk, Duangaksorn successfully lifted 147kg on her first attempt, followed by 155kg on her second. Unfortunately, her third attempt at 158kg was unsuccessful. Her clean and jerk record stood at 155kg, resulting in a total weight of 275kg. This achievement secured her a bronze medal in the Asian Games for the second time and marked the perfect ending for the Thai weightlifting team in this competition.
While Duangaksorn claimed the bronze, the overall gold medal in the Women's over 87kg category went to Park Hyejeong from South Korea, with a total weight of 294kg (snatch 125kg, clean and jerk 169kg), and the silver medal was earned by Son Younghee, also from South Korea, with a total weight of 283kg (snatch 124kg, clean and jerk 159kg).
Reflecting on her performance, Duangaksorn mentioned that she had been nursing an injury since the Southeast Asian Games and couldn't compete in 2-3 events. However, she expressed satisfaction with her statistics and aims to secure a spot in the "Paris Games 2024" Olympic event. She acknowledges the importance of continued training and achieving her best performance.
Mr. Chairat Udomkitpanya, the team manager for the Thai weightlifting squad, praised the athletes' dedication and fighting spirit. He commended their efforts, especially those who had less training time compared to others. Looking ahead, he mentioned that the Olympic Games qualification rounds are still ahead, with 2-3 opportunities remaining, and he is optimistic about achieving their goals.
In summary, Thailand's power weightlifting team concluded their participation in the 19th Asian Games with a total of 1 silver medal and 3 bronze medals. The team remains motivated and aims to secure more victories in the future.
