Thailand has sent a 445-strong contingent, comprising 310 athletes and 135 officials to the 11th Asean Para Games being held in Surakarta, Indonesia from July 30 to August 6.
The national paralympic team, with 205 males and 105 females, left Suvarnabhumi Airport on Tuesday morning for the games known as Surakarta 2022.
They were seen off by representatives from the Tourism and Sport Ministry, the Sports Authority of Thailand, sponsors and fans.
Thai athletes will compete in 14 sports — athletics, swimming, badminton, table tennis, weightlifting, seated volleyball, wheelchair basketball, goalball, boccia, archery, wheelchair tennis, chess, football, and judo.
More than 1,600 differently-abled athletes from 11 countries in Southeast Asia are expected to take part in Surakarta 2022.
Originally set to be hosted by Vietnam in 2021, the Games were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic in Vietnam before hosting rights were transferred to Indonesia. It was originally scheduled from July 23 to 30, and later moved to July 30 to August 6.
Asean Para Games are held biannually and are patterned after the Paralympics.
Liverpool away and Buriram United at home was the verdict of Thai football fans asked to name their favourite teams in a poll earlier this month.
The July 18-21 telephone poll was conducted on 2,500 people from different educational and work backgrounds by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida).
Asked if they followed the English Premier League, 31.16 per cent said yes, while 68.84 per cent said no. Meanwhile Thai League 1 was slightly less popular, with 29.60 per cent following and 70.40 per cent not.
Among Premier League watchers, 17.33 per cent said they were hardcore fans while 82.67 per cent said they only followed occasionally.
For the Thai League, 9.59 per cent were hardcore fans and 90.41 per cent only casual followers.
Topping Thai fans’ list of favourite Premier League teams was Liverpool with 31.32 per cent. Manchester United were a close second on 30.42 per cent, followed by Chelsea (9.37 per cent), Arsenal (3.85 per cent), Manchester City (2.95 per cent) and Thai-owned Leicester City (2.82 per cent)
Buriram United topped the list of Thai League 1 teams with 32.43 per cent, followed by Muangthong United (11.49 per cent), Port FC (6.49 per cent), Chonburi FC (4.73 per cent) and BG Pathum United (2.97 per cent).
French boxer Anthony TF has announced his retirement following the death of his opponent, well-known Muay Thai fighter Panphet Phadungchai.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, TF said he had been deeply shocked by Panphet’s death and would not return to the ring again.
Panphet, 25, died from a brain injury in a Bangkok hospital on Saturday, nine days after being knocked out by a spinning elbow in a bout against TF at Thupatemi stadium in Pathum Thani. He had won medals at international level for Thailand, including in the Southeast Asian Games and world amateur championships.
The death shocked the world of martial arts but also triggered concerns over medical aid at tournaments.
In his post, TF speculated that brain injuries suffered by Panphet previously over his 80-fight career may have contributed to the tragedy. But the Frenchman said he could not deny responsibility over Panphet’s death.
“Of course, I feel partly responsible, no one can take that out of my head. Even if your messages, your calls and comments are comforting me at the moment, I am deeply sad, it’s inexplicable, but it’s fate and I have no right to oppose it,” TF posted in French.
He said he hoped Panphet would rest in peace and also pledged to take care of the late boxer’s family.
“I only hope that he is resting in peace now and I vow to help his mother, wife and their little girl financially until she tells me they don’t need it anymore,” TF said.
“This, my 28th fight, was unfortunately my last fight. I will not return, not because I do not have the strength but because I have convictions and I stick to them. Thanks to everyone who’s been there since my beginning and sorry because I know some people sacrificed a lot to see me at the top.”
His Facebook had drawn 430 responses with 79 comments by noon on Monday.
Many of the comments urged him to be at peace since the tragic death was an accident in a martial sport. Some encouraged him to fight on and become a champion in honour of Panphet.
“I want you to fight for him [Panphet]. If he could say something to you, he would surely tell you to become a champ for him. Don’t let his passing be for nothing,” commented Vichak Thotsasphornthaweesap.
“It’s a sport. Don’t blame yourself. No one wants something like this to happen,” said Facebook user Yo Yo Jung, who added that TF should keep fighting.
The fifth circuit of the “SAT-TWT Open” Road to World Ranking” organized by the Thai Women’s Professional Golf Association will tee off at the Lake View Resort and Country Club in Petchaburi between 27-29 July.
Winner of the fourth circuit Patcharajutar who has won back-to-back titles at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club two weeks ago and at the Springfield Village & Spa also in Hua Hin on Friday is among the strong contenders in the tournament which offers a total Bt2.5 million overall prize money up for grab.
Other star players in actions are the inaugural champion Parinda Phokan from Khon Kaen, 2018 LET Thailand Championship victor Kanyalak Preedasuttijit and the up-and-coming Onkanok Soisuwan who just succeeded in the qualifying stage of the Dream Tour in South Korea.
The fifth SAT-TWT Open is one of the 10 circuits for the 2021-2022 season which features a whopping Bt25 million total prize money. With the first two circuits already conducted in 2021, eight circuits are due in 2022 with Chanettee Wannasaen winning the third circuit at the Phoenix Gold Golf and Country Club in June and Patcharajuar at the Royal Hua Hin Golf Course a fortnight ago.
The SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking will be competed in a three-day stroke-play format with a total of 54 holes (18 holes each day). The field acceptance will not exceed 132 players with only top 60 and ties, after 36 holes, proceeding to the final round. The winner will receive the top prize money of Bt367,500.
The SAT-TWT Open Road to World Ranking is sponsored by the Sports Authority of Thailand, National Sports Development Fund, Siam Commercial Bank, P Overseas Steal (Public Company Limited) and Lake View Resort and Country Club. Fans can catch up with news updates on ThaiWPGA Facebook Fanpage or at http://www.thaiwpga.com. Live streaming of the final round can be seen on ThaiWPGA Facebook Fanpage on Friday 29, July from 8am onwards.
The death of well-known Muay Thai fighter Panphet Phadungchai has shocked the world of martial arts but also triggered concerns over medical aid at tournaments.
Panphet, 25, died from a brain injury at a hospital in Bangkok on Saturday, nine days after being knocked out by a spinning elbow in a bout against French boxer Anthony TF at Thupatemi stadium in Pathum Thani.
A source from the Muay Thai world responded to the news by urging the sport to tighten rules by providing first aid teams at fights and sending concussed fighters to hospital immediately.
“Nobody wants to see these things [loss of life] and we hope this incident will be the last,” the source said. “All related agencies must make proper preparations to deal with such incidents in order to prevent loss of life,” the source added.
Meanwhile, International Muaythai Sport Association president Samart Maluleem said the knockout suffered by Panphet demonstrated that Muay Thai is a fearsome martial art.
But similar incidents can happen in other sports, he added.
Nattawut Ruangwes, former Sports Authority of Thailand governor, said the death of Panphet was considered a huge loss in sporting circles.
He added that the government would likely offer aid to Panphet’s family via the National Sports Development Fund.
Panphet, whose real name was Sarayut Klinming, won a silver medal at the Southeast Asian Games and a gold medal at the World Amateur Muay Thai Championship in 2019.
Thai striking stars Sinsamut Klinmee and Muangthai PK.Saenchai both put on impressive performances inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium this past Friday, 22 July, at One 159: De Ridder v Bigdash.
Sinsamut scored a second spectacular knockout to remain unbeaten in the One Circle when he took on Liam “Lethal” Nolan in a lightweight Muay Thai battle.
The 26-year-old star sparked his British rival seconds into round two to score the win and earn a US$50,000 performance bonus from One Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong.
The win pushed Sinsamut’s record to an impressive 80-16-3 and entered his name in the One history books for becoming the first athlete to score back-to-back bonuses.
Later in the evening, Muangthai inched out a split-decision win against Russian striker Vladimir Kuzmin in their bantamweight Muay Thai showdown. Seeking redemption for his loss against Liam “Hitman” Harrison earlier in the year, the Lumpinee Stadium world champion was determined to bring home a win in Singapore.
The two men traded heavy blows throughout the affair, with Muangthai keeping a close distance and working aggressively in the pocket. Kuzmin answered with a barrage of shots, making the judges’ decision very tough when the final bell sounded. In the end, though, it was the Thai star’s powerful attacks and pressure that earned him the win. His record now stands at a jaw-dropping 201-43-4.
Elsewhere on the card, Janet Todd was successful in her quest to become a two-sport One world champion when she defeated Spain’s Lara Fernandez by unanimous decision in their co-main event Muay Thai thriller.
Todd now holds the ONE Atomweight Kickboxing World Championship and the ONE Interim Atomweight Muay Thai World Championship.
And in the main event, Reinier de Ridder defended his One middleweight world championship for the second time against Vitaly Bigdash. The unbeaten Dutchman survived an early scare from his Russian rival to lock in an inverted triangle submission that rendered Bigdash unconscious midway through the first round.
De Ridder earned a US$50,000 bonus for his efforts, and his record now stands at a perfect 16-0.
Main Card Results Reinier de Ridder defeats Vitaly Bigdash via submission (inverted triangle) at 3:29 of round one to retain the One middleweight world title, earned a US$50,000 bonus
Janet Todd defeats Lara Fernandez via unanimous decision to win the One interim atomweight Muay Thai world title Muangthai PK.Saenchai defeats Vladimir Kuzmin via split decision (Muay Thai – bantamweight)
Jamal Yusupov defeats Jo Nattawut via unanimous decision (Muay Thai – featherweight)
Danial Williams defeats Zelang Zhaxi via knockout at 4:20 of round one (MMA – strawweight), earned a US$50,000 bonus Lead Card Results
Sinsamut Klinmee defeats Liam Nolan via knockout at 0:05 of round two (Muay Thai – lightweight), earned a US$50,000 Marat Gafurov defeats Ariel Sexton via TKO at 4:15 of round three (MMA – lightweight)
Valmir Da Silva defeats Jin Tae Ho via submission (guillotine) at 4:55 of round two (MMA – welterweight)
Darwin Nunez came off the bench to score four times as Liverpool defeated RB Leipzig 5-0 in their latest pre-season test in Germany on Thursday evening.
The Reds took the lead with eight minutes gone at Red Bull Arena when Mohamed Salah deceived Peter Gulacsi with a first-time finish he rolled into the net from just inside the area following a lay-off by Roberto Firmino.
Nunez then came off the bench during half-time to net his first goal for the club, converting from the penalty spot after Luis Diaz had been brought down.
The No.27 had a second moments later, finishing with aplomb after Liverpool had regained possession in midfield and Trent Alexander-Arnold sent him clear inside the area.
Nunez’s hat-trick was completed with 69 minutes showing on the clock when he touched in a low cross from Harvey Elliott from close range.
His final act was to cap a fine night’s work for Jürgen Klopp’s side by sweeping in his fourth – and the Reds’ fifth – at the death following a counter-attack spearheaded by Fabio Carvalho.
‘Perfect night’ – Jürgen Klopp on Nunez goals and win at Leipzig
Jürgen Klopp toasted a ‘perfect night’ as Darwin Nunez hit four goals in Liverpool’s 5-0 win at RB Leipzig.
The Reds surged to an emphatic result at Red Bull Arena on Thursday evening after Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with a composed finish on eight minutes.
Nunez entered the action at the start of the second half and netted four times before the friendly’s end – his first strikes since joining the club during the summer.
On it being a perfect night with a 5-0 win and four goals for Nunez
I would have bought it actually. It’s really nice. You see everything. First half – good moments, lesser-good moments, not enough movement, we need to get used to how hard it is to play 50, 60, 70 minutes – and in the end 90 or 120. The human body is like this, you need to get used to it again. When we struggled a little bit it was always after three minutes’ break we played football again, then a deep breather and play football again. And I wanted us to be a bit more hard with ourselves, go over that point, it’s pre-season. And move more. I think we did that second half obviously. Hendo came on, Millie – they both were lively. Hendo all of a sudden as an eight, went in behind and we created chances. Then Mo gives Darwin the penalty and Darwin, Pandora’s box was open. That’s of course a perfect night for him.
On the impact the performance will have on Nunez
We always think that if you pay a lot of money then the players feel no pressure or whatever. They are all completely normal human beings and the first touch is not perfect then all of a sudden… This generation of players read social media, which is really not smart, but they do. All of a sudden you get in a rush and these kinds of things. That’s the best way obviously to stop all these discussions. He’s a different striker to what we have or what we had, but he’s a really good one.
On how much he is looking forward to the team’s training camp in Austria now
Very much. We need that time now. We are not even close to where we want to be physically. We have to get there. The weather and everything is difficult, it will be difficult in Austria as well. It’s good. We have to get through this, we have to work extremely hard and then we will be fine. I’m not sure if we will be fine against Salzburg because now we really go for it, but we will give it a try. The most important part of pre-season starts now.
Sadio Mane was named African Footballer of the Year on Thursday (July 21) after a season in which he kicked the winning penalty for Senegal as they claimed their first Africa Cup of Nations title and repeated the feat when they secured World Cup qualification.
Mane finished ahead of Egyptian forward Mohamed Salah, his former Liverpool team mate, and fellow Senegalese Edouard Mendy in the voting.
It was the second time the 30-year-old Mane, who last month joined German champions Bayern Munich, has won the award.
He was the last winner of the award in 2019. The Confederation of African Football did not hold it over the last two years and has now changed to recognising accomplishments over the season rather than the calendar year.
Mane converted the winning penalty in February as Senegal beat Egypt in the Cup of Nations final in Yaounde, proving the talisman as his country took a first ever African title.
Six weeks later, he struck the decisive spot-kick as Senegal again edged Egypt in a penalty shootout to win a place at the World Cup finals in Qatar.
He overshadowed Salah on both occasions, although the pair shared success with Liverpool in the FA Cup and League Cup and helped them reach the Champions League final.
Mane also finished ahead of Salah in the 2019 voting. Salah, 30, won the award in 2017 and 2018 with Mane second on both occasions.
Mendy, who plays for Chelsea, was named the best goalkeeper in the world at FIFA’s 2021 award, held in January.
The 29-year-old attacking midfielder arrives on Trentside following 22 years with boyhood club Manchester United, making over 230 first-team appearances and finding the net on 35 occasions.
Lingard has also amassed 32 England caps to date and made his debut in 2016 before playing an integral role as the Three Lions reached the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup, scoring one goal and assisting two.
The former Red Devil brings a wealth of Premier League, Champions League and international experience to The City Ground and was a key member of the Manchester United side that lifted the FA Cup in 2016, scoring the winning goal in extra time against Crystal Palace at Wembley.
A player for the big occasion, Lingard was also on the scoresheet in the 2017 EFL Cup final as Manchester United defeated Southampton 3-2, with Jesse also playing a key role as the Red Devils lifted the Europa League trophy that same season.
Jesse joined West Ham United on loan for the second half of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign and set the London Stadium alight with a string of impressive performances, netting 9 goals in 16 appearances whilst also contributing 5 assists.
Nottingham Forest are delighted to confirm the signing of Jesse Lingard.(Photo Credit : nottingham forest web official)
His spell in the capital also saw Lingard awarded the Premier League’s Player of the Month for April 2021 and Premier League’s Goal of the Month for a spectacular individual effort against Wolves, becoming only the second player to win both awards simultaneously.
The former United star becomes The Reds’ eleventh summer signing and joins former Manchester United team-mate Dean Henderson in making the move Trentside.
Everyone at Nottingham Forest is delighted to welcome Jesse to the club and we look forward to seeing him pull on the Garibaldi shirt at the World Famous City Ground.
Ligue 1’s giant Paris Saint-Germain Football Club (PSG) is all set to lock horns with Kawasaki Frontale, which includes Thai football star Chanathip Songkrasin, on Wednesday evening.
Elgolazo magazine reported the match would be played on Wednesday at 5.30pm (Thailand time) at the Japan National Stadium, Chanathip posted on his Facebook page.
It wasn’t known at press time whether Chanathip would be part of the line-up for the game.
PSG features a host of world-famous footballers, including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.
Chanathip last played against Messi almost a decade ago. The Thai star was part of the national team that took on Barcelona in a friendly at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium in 2013.
PSG is in Japan for the 2022 Japan Tour to compete in exhibition matches against three Japanese teams. Apart from Kawasaki Frontale, Paris Saint-Germain will go head-to-head with Urawa Reds on Saturday and Gamba Osaka on Monday.
Nottingham Forest are delighted to confirm the signing of Jesse Lingard.(Photo Credit : nottingham forest web official)
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