Thailand's first gold medal in Paralympic Games 2012 Options

[Euphoria]

It's gold for Thailand's Rungroj


Published: 3/09/2012 at 09:06 AM





Thailand's paralympic athletes have gone one step beyond their able-bodied counterparts in London, bringing home the country's first gold medal.

The man who did it was table-tennis star Rungroj Thainiyom. The 25-year-old third seed stunned top seed Alvaro Valera of Spain 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 12-10) in just 18 minutes to win the men's singles class 6 table tennis title at the ExCel Arena in London.

"I'm so happy to win the gold medal for Thailand. Before the matchI was a bit worried because I played him [Alvaro] before and lost. But in a way, it was good because I didn't have any pressure today," said Rungroj. “I had nothing to lose today; I was not expected to win; so I was relaxed.”

"I'm so happy I made it. This gold medal is for everyone back home."

It was Thailand's first gold from table tennis and the kingdom's 10th overall.

According to the International Table Tennis Federation's website, Rungroj might have had a little supernatural help on his golden day.

“My coach had a vision that if I shaved my hair, then Buddha would help me”, he. “So last night I shaved off all my hair and Buddha helped.”

On the track, however, there was disappointment for Thailand's most succcessful Paralympic athlete Prawat Wahoram. Prawat could only manage fifth in the final of the men's 5000m wheel-chair race.

The Sa Kaew native has won five golds, four silvers and one bronze in his glittering Paralympic career which began at Sydney 2000. He has one more chance to add to his total in today's 1500m event.





Credit : http://www.bangkokpost.com/learning/easier...hailand-rungroj

[Buddhalove]

Congratulation Isan boy.