December 13, 2007	Thursday	Zilhaj 2, 1428

KORAT (Thailand), Dec 12: Thailand smashed the 100-gold barrier at the SEA Games here Wednesday as they continued their relentless pursuit of top spot on the medals table.

A clutch of golds in women’s boxing and successes in men’s weightlifting helped carry the host nation past three figures with more than three days of competition still to go.

The country’s 116-gold total gives them double Vietnam’s haul of 57 and puts them well on the way to their target of 150, with scores of medals still to be handed out.

On the tennis court Wednesday, Thailand’s Danai Udomchoke qualified for the final of the men’s singles, beating Indonesia’s Elbert Sie in straight sets.

The number one seed and world number 154, who earlier this month won his first-ever title at the round-robin Asia Cup, saw off the number three seed 6-4, 6-0, with the second set lasting just 16 minutes.

He faces the Philippines’ Cecil Mamiit in Friday’s final. Second seed Mamiit overcame Cambodia’s Nysan Tan, losing just two games.

In the women’s competition, Indonesia’s top seed Sandy Gumulya will face Thailand’s Nudnida Luangnam after defeating the host nation’s Noppawan Lertcheewakarn in straight sets.

Luangnam, the number two seed, beat third seed Romana Tedjakusuma in a walkover.

Thailand have already taken tennis golds in the men’s and women’s team competitions.

In the men’s individual golf, Thailand’s Pipatpong Naewsuk leads the way on nine-under par, one shot clear of fellow Thai K. Aphibarmrat going into the final round Thursday.

The hosts are also well clear in the team event.

With the athletics and swimming competitions now over, attention will focus Thursday on the boxing ring, with Thailand represented in all ten finals of the men’s competition. Thailand’s women boxers won six golds Wednesday.

The athletics ended Tuesday with Thailand top of the medals charts on 17 golds, followed by Vietnam on eight.

Singapore proved to be the kings of the pool, taking home 11 golds from 32 events.

The Philippines were in second place on eight, with Malaysia on seven.

Thailand also enjoyed football success Tuesday, qualifying for Friday’s final against Myanmar after beating Singapore 3-0 in front of a packed crowd.

Myanmar beat Vietnam 3-1 on penalties.

Eleven nations are chasing more than 470 gold medals in more than 40 sports at the 24th SEA Games, which ends Saturday.

Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam are all taking part.—AFP