More medals for Thailand at Paris Olympics

OLYMPICS: Thailand has secured more medals at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after surprise performances from weightlifting duo Theerapong Silachai and Surodchana Khambao, who were both making their debuts at Olympic level.

Theerapong Silachai competes in the men’s -61kg weightlifting event during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the South Paris Arena in Paris, on Wednesday (Aug 7). Photo: AFP

Theerapong, 20, won silver in the men’s 61kg division while Surodchana took bronze in the women’s 49kg event on Wednesday (Aug 7), reports the Bangkok Post.

The Thai weightlifting team had been flying under the radar prior to the start of the competition. They returned to the Olympics for the first time in eight years after missing Rio 2016.

The two medals on Wednesday have boosted the total Olympic medal count to 16.

Thailand have two more lifters to compete in Paris.

Weeraphon Wichuma was in action later last night in the men’s 73kg division while Duangaksorn Chaidee will compete in the women’s over 81kg event on Sunday.

In other sports involving Thai athletes, cyclist Jai Angsuthasawit clocked 9.898 to finish 27^th in the men’s sprint qualifying on Wednesday at the national velodrome in Paris.

Jai will also compete in the men’s keirin tomorrow.

Thai sailors Arthit Mikhail Romanyk finished 35^th overall in the men’s dinghy race while Sophia Montgomery was 27^th in the women’s event. Both races concluded on Wednesday after several delays in Marseille.