Malaysia Achieve 64-gold Target, Now Set Sail For More

KORAT, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian contingent who achieved the 64-gold target for the Korat SEA Games today, set sail to surpass that mark when the final day of competitions gets underway Saturday.

However, there will be no champagne to pop up for celebrations as Thailand are observing a three-day non-alcohol curfew to facilitate polling process for their coming general election on Dec 23.

But champagne on the menu or not, there was no stopping the Malaysian contingent from rejoicing the achievement as soon as Moh Keen Ho potted his way to the men's singles gold in snooker to give Malaysia the all important 64th gold.

The achievement is the highest by the country after the 61-gold achievement at the 2005 Manila SEA Games.

It was the 10th gold of the day as Malaysian sailors had conquered the waves in Pattaya to clinch the men's International Laser and women's Laser Radial while divers went into action at the King's Anniversary Aquatics Centre to white-wash their opponents and sweep all five gold medals offered today.

The bowling team in Bangkok provided the cheers from the SF Strike Bowl centre by winning the Mixed doubles gold while taekwondo came good in the final event of taekwondo competitions to clinch the women's Under 51kg gold and Malaysia's ninth.

The 64-gold target was achieved through the contribution of 19 sports from the 40 sports that involved Malaysian athletes.

Aquatics (swimming, diving) accounted for the highest number with 14 while karate-do hauled in eight, ahead of athletics with seven while lawn bowls, equestrian, cycling and bowling added four each respectively.

Shooters fired their way to two gold medals even before the official opening of the Games while archers were spot on with another two, artistic gymnastics (2), hockey (2), sailing (2), taekwondo (2) and wushu (2) added to the tally while basketball (women), rhythmic gymnastics, squash, triathlon and snooker with one gold each shared the honours.

Tomorrow, the final day of competitions, 17 gold medals are on offer in rhythmic gymnastics (4), tennis (3), beach volleyball (2), diving (2), equestrian (2) and one in polo.

Malaysia will be in contention for medals in gymnastics, diving, equestrian and polo.

-- BERNAMA