Sittichai Suwonprateep (THA) celebrating his 200m win at the 2005 SEA Games (© Peh Siong San)
The track and field competition of the 2005 South East Asian (SEA) Games at the Riza Memorial Track & Field Stadium concluded on a democratic note, with the gold medals amazingly well spread out among the countries today. Myanmar had a good day, with its fair share of wins while Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore also enjoyed success.
Solid women’s sprint showing for Myanmar and Vietnam
In the women's 200m, Myanmar's Kay Khine Lwin won the gold in a time of 23.77. She was followed home by Vietnam's Vu Thi Huong (23.86) and Thailand's Jutamass Tawoncharoen ( 23.97). For the Thai girls, long known for their regional dominance in sprinting, this was a disappointment. Even more so as they also lost the 100m title here earlier, when Vu (11.61) edged out Nongnuch Sanrat (11.63) and Orranut Klomdee (11.66), the defending champion. Adding more salt to the Thais' wound, Myanmar also won the 4x400m Relay with ease, clocking 3:35.68. Thailand (3:39.49) was second with Vietnam (3:43.91) third.
Not to be outdone by his country women, who had been impressive here, Myanmar's Aung Thi Ha showed his class in the men's 1500m, winning in 3:49.25. Indonesia's Hariyono Saputro (3:50.40) clinched the silver while Philippines’ Rene Herera (3:50.89) won the bronze.
Good final day for Thailand
Still, the Thais weren't completely outclassed. They achieved a 1-2 in the men's Pole Vault with Amnat Kunpadit (4.90m) and Sompong Saombankuay (4.80m), ahead of Philippines’ bronze medallist Emerson Obiena (4.60m). The highly experienced Sittichai Suwonprateep took the gold in the men's 200m in 20.94 while his teammate Sompote Suwammarangsri (21.40) collected the bronze, behind Indonesia's John Murai (21.27). In the men's 4x400 relay, however, the Thais found the Filipinos too strong, taking the silver in 3:10.53 behind the home team that clocked 3:09.15. Malaysia was third, well back in 3:23.27.
Malaysia's success came in the men's 20Km Race Walk when Mohd Sharrulhaizy Abd Rahman struck gold in 1:35:45.1, followed by team mate Thiru Kumaran Balay Sendram (1:36:27.4) and Thailand's Veertun Anumchai (1:42:39.7). Further success for Malaysia came when Siti Shahida Abduliah set a new SEA Games mark with a 53.35m toss in the women's Hammer Throw to take the gold. Indonesia's Yurita Arsyad (49.75m) took the silver while Philippines' Loralie Amahit (48.63m) secured the bronze.
Success for Indonesia and Singapore as well
Completing the somewhat even distribution of gold medals on the last day of track & field competition Indonesia and Singapore also tasted success. In the women's 5000m, Indonesia's Oliva Sadi (16:34.94) edged out Philippines’ 10,000m gold medallist Mercedita Manipol (16:42.17). The bronze went to another Indonesian, Rini Budiarti, who clocked 16.43.82. For his part, Singapore's James Wong retained his discus gold yet again with a throw of 55.11, ahead of two Thais - Sawang Sawasdee (52.51) and Kvanchai Numsomboon (51.31).
Overall, the performances at this year's SEA Games, so late on the athletics calendar, were rather modest. Among the more notable performances were the Philippines duo of Marestella Torres (6.47m) and Lerma Elmira Gabito (6.45m) in the women's Long Jump as well as Vietnam's Bui Thi Nhong (1.89m) and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thy (1.86m) in the women's High Jump. While many of the other athletes didn't reach the form that Southeast Asian athletes are capable of, this was, overall, an exciting championship. What made the competition particularly gripping was the democratic spread of medals, with traditional powerhouses Thailand and Malaysia having to share some of the glory with countries like tiny Singapore, a clearly-revived Philippines, an Indonesia on its way back, an emerging Vietnam, and ever-promising Myanmar.
Chua Chong Jin and Kevin Goh for the IAAF
