Thailand snatched final gold medals in badminton and volleyball as the Southeast Asian Games came to a close. PHOTO: AFP
Hosts Singapore also grabbed one more win in the men’s water polo to reach 84, a record for the country after the 50 they amassed on home soil in 1993.
Vietnam finished third with 73 and Malaysia, who will host the next SEA Games in 2017, were fourth with 62 after a strong showing in badminton.
Chong Wei Feng beat his Malaysian compatriot Muhammad Arif Abdul Latif 21-8, 21-9 to win the men’s singles, the 28-year-old’s first major title.
It gave a measure of solace to Chong, who was axed from Malaysia’s world championships squad to make way for Lee Chong Wei after the former number one’s return from a doping ban. “It means a lot to me and it shows that my game is still there,” said Chong.
The women’s doubles was also an all-Malaysian affair and ended with Amelia Alicia Anscelly and Soong Fie Cho upsetting the higher-ranked Vivian Hoo Kah Mun and Khe Wei Woon.
Thailand’s Busanan Ongbumrungpan beat Hanna Ramadini in the women’s singles final, making up for her defeat in the SEA Games decider two years ago.
“I am very happy right now because I was runner-up last time around; this time I tried to get the gold medal and it is now mine,” said Ongbumrungpan.
Thailand also beat Vietnam 25-20, 25-19, 25-23 in the men’s volleyball on the last day as all 403 gold medals were finally handed out.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 17th, 2015.
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