Paralympians lookto beat London haul
Thailand are positive that they will win more than 4 gold medals at next month’s Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.
If they attain their target, it would beat their efficiency at the 2012 Games in London where they declared 4 golds.
Thailand are sending out 45 professional athletes to participate in 10 sports at the Sept 7-18 Rio Games.
The individuals consist of 13 in sports, 7 each in tennis and boccia, 5 in shooting and 4 in swimming. They left for Rio the other day.
At First, 46 Thai professional athletes received the Rio Paralympics. Regrettably, it was later on found that a nation with the world’s top-two boccia gamers can just send out one to the Games.
As an outcome, world No. 2 Witsanu Huadpradit was excluded of the group as No. 1 Pattaya Tadthong, who won 2 gold medals in the specific and group occasions in London, was selected ahead of him.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has actually provided his support to the Paralympic team.
” All the Thai individuals and I constantly support you,” he informed the group just recently.
” Stay focused and do your finest. There is absolutely nothing for you to be scared of. You all have an opportunity to win medals.”
Chutinant Bhirombhakdi, president of the Paralympic Committee of Thailand, stated the team had actually trained for one year and hoped they would win more than 4 gold medals.
” We have a high opportunity of exceeding our efficiency in London,” he stated.
Amongst Thailand’s leading medal hopes is Rawat Tana, a wheelchair racing world champ, who will complete in 5 occasions in Rio.
” We have actually trained for a long period of time. I am well-prepared physically and psychologically and positive that I will win gold for the Thai individuals,” stated the 39-year-old.
Marcel Hug of Switzerland and David Dam of Great Britain will likely be his fiercest competitors in Rio.
Rawat got 2 gold medals at Athens 2004 however might just take house a silver at London 2012.
At the London occasion, Thailand made 4 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Thailand declared gold in table tennis (Rungroj Thainiyom), blended group boccia (Pattaya, Witsanu, Watcharaphon Vongsa and Mongkol Jit Sa-ngiem), specific boccia (Pattaya) and wheelchair fencing (Saysunee Jana).
Rungroj stated he was fairly unidentified prior to the London Games however this time it would be difficult for him to protect the title since challengers now understand him.
Saysunee, who likewise won gold at Athens 2004, and wheelchair racer Prawat Wahoram, the most effective Thai Paralympian ever with 5 gold medals, are amongst the competitors in Rio.
” We had more time to get ready for Rio,” stated the 35-year-old Prawat who will be making his 5th Paralympic look.
He made his Paralympic launching at Sydney 2000 and trains regularly.
By his own high requirements, Prawat had a frustrating project in London when he might just handle 2 silver medals.
The unconvincing efficiency ended his run of winning a minimum of a gold medal in the previous 3 Games.
” I will offer my all this time to go back to the winner’s circle,” stated Prawat.
Sakol Wannapong, guv of the Sports Authority of Thailand, stated the medallists will get an increased benefit from the National Sports Advancement Fund.
A Paralympic gold medallist will get 7.2 million baht, a silver medallist 4.8 million baht and a bronze medallist 3 million baht.
