Players from the host nation brought the year’s Para table tennis calendar to a close in imposing style at the World Abilitysport Games 2023 in the Thai city of Nakhon Ratchasima, proceedings concluding after three days of action on Friday 8th December.
In the men’s singles it was success for Wanchai Chaiwut (class 4), Rungroj Thainiyom (class 6), Charlermpong Punpoo (class 7) and Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri (class 8).
All commenced matters occupying top seeded positions.
Also, in the men’s singles events, Anurak Laowong brought Thailand more gold, the no.2 seed, he accounted for colleague Yuttajak Glinbanchuen, the top seed (11-7, 11-5, 11-5) to arrest the men’s singles class 2 title.
Likewise, in the women’s singles, Thai players, who commenced matters second in line, clinched gold, demoting top seeded compatriots to silver.
Patamawadee Intanton secured the class 1-3 title accounting for Dararat Asayut in the final (11-13, 11-9, 8-11, 11-9, 11-8), in class 7-8, Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriablang overcame Sumalee Suangtho (11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 16-14) to reserve the top prize.
Meanwhile, in a group organised event, in class 4, Wassana Sringam finished ahead of Wijittra Jaion.
Similarly, from Poland, commencing play in the top seeded position, in the men’s singles Rafal Czuper won class 1-2, Igor Misztal class 10; in the women’s singles, Katarzyna Marszal prevailed in class 6, Karolina Pek in class 9.
Success for European visitors, there was also success for those whose journey was somewhat shorter.
Again, favourites for gold being the top seeds, in the men’s singles Chinese Taipei’s Cheng Ming-Chih won class 5, Hong Kong’s Wong Chi Yin class 9; also from Chinese Taipei, Tian Shiau-Wen secured the women’s singles class 10 title.
Winners very much as anticipated, the only player outside the top two names to secure gold being Indonesia’s Leili Marlina.
Bronze medallist earlier this year at the New Taipei Para Open and the third highest ranked in women’s singles class 5 in Nakhon Ratchasima, Lei Marina upset the status quo. In a group organised event, she finished ahead of Thailand’s Panwas Sringam, the top seed.
Gold for Lei Marina, later she secured the same colour medal in mixed doubles class 10 partnering Tatak Hardiyanto.
Similarly, Wanchai Chaiwut, Chalermpong Punpoo and Igor Misztal added to their men’s singles titles, as for the women did Wassana Sringam; partnering colleagues, all concluded their visit to Nakhon Ratchasiman with two gold medals.
In the men’s doubles Wanchai Chaiwut allied with Yuttajak Glinbanchuen to claim class 8 success, Igor Misztal joined forces with Maksym Chudzicki to win class 18.
Not to be overlooked, in the mixed doubles Chalermpong Punpoo paired with Wachiraporn Thepmoya to win class 17; in the women’s doubles, Wassana Sringam prevailed alongside Wijittra Jaion in class 4.
Wins for Yuttajak Glinbanchuen and Wassana Sringam meant they joined the two-club; together they won mixed doubles class 4-7.
Impressive performances but the most impressive players of all were Rungroj Thainiyom and Tian Shiau-Wen; both secured the full house of three titles.
Adding to their wins in the respective men’s singles and women’s singles events, on the concluding day both partnered compatriots to gold.
Rungroj Thainiyom allied with Phisit Wangphonphathanasiri to win men’s doubles class 14, alongside Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriabklang, in the same class, he secured the mixed doubles top prize.
The win meant Kanlaya Chaiwut-Kriabklang ended proceedings with two titles, she claimed gold in women’s doubles class 14 partnering Kanokporn Phathumicai.
Meanwhile, in class 20, Tian Shiau-Wen won the women’s doubles alongside Lin Tzu-Yu, the mixed doubles with Su Jin-Sian.
More success for Thailand and Chinese Taipei, on the concluding day of play, there was also success for Slovakia.
Jian Riapos and Peter Lovas prevailed in men’s doubles class 4.
The World Abilitysport Games 2023 brings the year for Para events to a close.