HANOI, Vietnam, December 10. THAILAND continued to dominate the Southeast Asian Games as Thai swimmers picked up nine medals, including four gold, in the seven events contested today. Only one day remains in the swimming competition.
Singapore and Malaysia continued to do battle for the #2 spot in the region, while the Philippines scored their first gold medal of the Games.
"Nuk" Sirisanont won his fourth individual event when he took the 200m breast in 2:16.67 ahead of countryman Vorrawuti Aumpiwan, 2:18.18.
Pilin Tachakittiranan won her third individual gold medal, but it didn't come easy. The Thai trailed Moe Thu Aung of Myanmar (formerly Burma) for 190 meters of the 200 free before she pulled ahead and hit the pads for the win. Tachakittiranan clocked 2:05.11 to win by 0.44 seconds.
Other Thai winners were Arwiat Chinnapasaen in the men's 50m free (23.33) and Chonlathorn Vorathamong in the women's 200 back (2:19.11).
Miguel Mendoza earned the Philippines' first gold medal in swimming, coming from behind in a well-paced race to take the 1500 meters in 15:49.55. Malaysia's Saw Yi Khy, who led through the first 400, dropped to third behind Thailand's Charnvudth Saengsri (15:56.22)
Malaysia's Siow Yi Ting, a student at the Bolles School, won her second breaststroke event, the 200 meters, in 2:32.25. Singapore's Teo Wei Min Nicolette (Nicolette Teo) was second as she was in the 100. Interestingly, Siow took her 200 out in 1:13.13 — faster than her winning time in the 100.
Singapore, which could garner only an individual silver and bronze today, was the surprise winner of the women's medley relay, clocking 4:20.49 to put away Thailand (4:24.93) and Vietnam (4:27.79).