SUPHAN BURIProlific swimmer Natthanan Jankrajang of Chon Buri said farewell to the National Games yesterday with seven gold medals.
Swimmer Natthanan Jankrajang of Chon Buri with the medals won in the 42nd National Games in Suphan Buri.
On the final day of swimming at the 42nd National Games, Thailand national athlete Natthanan failed to add another gold medal to her glittering collection.
She managed to get only two silver medals in the women's 200m individual medley and 50m butterfly.
She remained dominant in the pool with seven golds, four silvers and one bronze, while Siwat Mathangkhapong of Suphan Buri was the most successful male swimmer with four golds.
Although she failed to meet her previous achievement when she won 10 gold medals at the Chiang Mai Games, she was happy with her performance in Suphan Buri.
She confirmed that it was her final appearance at the National Games but she will still represent the country at international tournaments, including the 17th Asian Games later this year in Incheon, South Korea.
''I am happy with my performance in my last Games,'' said the swimmer, who took part in 10 National Games.
''It is the right time to say goodbye to the National Games because I am getting older and many young swimmers are good enough to replace me.''
In the women's 200m individual medley, Natthanan lost her title to Bangkok's Piangkwan Pawapotako, who set a new record of 2.18.43min, breaking Natthanan's mark of 2.19.54.
In the men's event, Natthapong Ket-in won gold for Chiang Mai.
Jenjira Srisa-ard of Suphan Buri won gold in the women's 50m butterfly in a new record time of 27.48sec while Siwat Mathankhapong, also from Suphan Buri, won the men's 1500m freestyle.
Nonthaburi's Chawalnuch Salabluek took gold in the women's 50m breaststroke and Bangkok were champions in the men's 4x100m medley relay.
In all, Suphan Buri won nine out of the 35 golds on offer in swimming while Chiang Mai earned eight with Natthapong claiming four.
Chon Buri and Bangkok took seven each with Natthanan winning all Chon Buri's gold medals.
The hosts were disappointed when their men's football team lost to Lamphun in a penalty shoot-out in the quarter-finals after a scoreless draw.
In taekwondo, Suphan Buri took two out of the five golds at stake yesterday from Waranyu Tritipsirisil (men's 58kg) and Thipathai Thuyawat (men's 87kg).
In the men's 54kg, SEA Games champion Ramnarong Sawekwihari of Bangkok lost to Thanapat Rattanasawek of Pathum Thani 9-7 in the final.
In rhythmic gymnastics, Anyawarin Suphatheeralert claimed two golds for Bangkok in the team and individual events.
Suphan Buri extended their lead in the medal race to 90 gold medals, with 142 golds to Bangkok's 52.
MEDALS TABLE
G S B T
Suphan Buri 142 60 59 261
Bangkok 52 70 65 187
Chon Buri 37 36 26 99
Chiang Mai 17 16 22 55
Nonthaburi 15 18 21 54
Nakhon Ratchasima 14 22 16 52
Samut Sakhon 11 12 11 34
Thanapat Rattanasawek of Pathum Thani kicks to the face of Bangkok’s Ramnarong Sawekwiharee in the men’s 54kg taekwondo final.
Anyawarin Suphatheeralert of Bangkok during the women’s rhythmic gymnastics.
