SEA Games: Thai Natthanan wins fourth gold

Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand:

Natthanan Krajang of Thailand won her fourth gold medal of the Southeast Asian Games on Monday with records continuing to fall at the track and pool.

Krajang won the women's 200 meters freestyle in a record time of 2.03.00, adding to three earlier golds.

Singapore's Li Tao and Wei-min Nicolette Teo combined in the women's 4x100 meter medley in a record time of 4.13.18 for their third gold medal each. Teo also won the 200 meters breaststroke.

Miguel Molina of the Philippines won the men's 200 meters breaststroke for his third gold of the event.

The Philippines' Daniel Coakley set a record time of 22.80 in winning the men's 50 meter freestyle, while Ryan Arabejo added to a good session for the same country by winning the 1500 meters freestyle.

At the track, Thailand set records in the men's and women's 4x100 meter relays to delight the home crowd.

The host won the men's event in 38.95, 0.16 faster than the mark it set eight years ago. The women won gold with a time of 44.00, 0.03 quicker than its record set two years ago.

Henry Dagmil of the Philippines broke his own games long jump record with a first leap of 7.87. Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian of Malaysia shaved 0.001 off the 110 meters hurdle mark by winning in 13.91.

In other athletics events, Siri Shahida Abdullah of Malaysia defended her women's hammer throw title, Dedeh Erawati of Indonesia won the women's 100-meter hurdles, and Wansawang Sawasdee of Thailand won the men's discus.

As he did in the 5,000 meters, Thailand's Boonthung Srisung beat Julius Sermona of the Philippines in the 10,000.

In the weightlifting, Indonesia's Sandow Waldemar Nasution took gold in the men's 77-kilogram class with an aggregate lift of 341 kilograms.

In the women's event, Thailand's Khanittha Petanang won the 69-kilogram class and Vietnam's Thi Thiet Nguyen the 63-kilogram event.

In the first day at the velodrome, Indonesia's Uyun Muzizah edged Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan by 0.004 to claim gold in the women's 500-meter time trial.

Singapore won both golds in the singles table tennis. Ning Gao in the men's and Yuegu Wang in the women's won their finals in straight games.

Singapore has invested heavily in its table tennis program in the hope of upsetting the powerful Chinese team at next year's Olympics.

Indonesia edged Singapore three rubbers to two to win gold in the women's team badminton event, with Pia Zebidah Bernadet prevailing over Mingtian Fu by two games to one in the decisive rubber.

Singapore did have some joy in racket sports, winning double gold in the singles table tennis. Ning Gao in the men's and Yuegu Wang in the women's won their respective finals in straight games.

Singapore has invested heavily in its table tennis program in the hope of upsetting the powerhouse Chinese in next year's Olympics.

In the final day of artistic gymnastics, Vietnam was the most successful nation with five gold medals in individual events: Nguyen Minh Tuan in men's rings, Nguyen Ha Thanh in men's parallel bars, Pham Phuoc Hung in men's horizontal bar, Phan Thi Ha Thanh in women's vault and Du Thi Ngan Thuong in women's beam.

Thailand had two winners - Kaewpany Rartchart in men's floor and Thitipong Sukdee in men's pommel horse - as did Malaysia with Wei Siang Ooi in men's horizontal bar and Sau Wah Chan in women's uneven bars.

Indonesia's Mohammad Aldilla Akbar in men's vault and Malaysia's Jia Hui Tabitha Tay in women's floor were the day's other gold medalists.

Malaysia claimed gold in the team showjumping equestrian event.

Thailand claimed two of the three golds in the day's team fencing events - the men's foil and women's epee - and Vietnam claimed the women's team sabre.