Khemkham gets judo gold on fifth SEA Games attempt

Lao judo fighter Khemkham Kommanivong, 30, fulfilled his dream yesterday when he won his first SEA Games gold medal after competing for 10 years in the region's top sporting event.

Khemkham bagged his first gold and the second for the Lao Judo Federation after Ms Phonenaly Sayarath won the first judo gold medal for Laos on Wednesday in the women's under 52kg division.

Khemkham defeated his Vietnamese opponent Ly Huynh Long in the final round of the men's over 100kg category yesterday at the Budo Centre.

“I am very happy to win my first gold medal. I thank the government leaders, judo federation president and coaches who supported me,” Mr Khemkham told the press.

Only three fighters from Laos , Thailand and Vietnam competed in this category and Khemkham had earlier defeated his Thai rival Tharalat Sutthipun.

This was Khemkham's fifth appearance at the SEA Games. He won two bronze medals in Vietnam in 2003 and in Thailand in 2007, but received no award in Malaysia in 2001 or in the Philippines in 2005.

He attributed his success this year to three months of hard training in Japan and another three month stint in Mongolia .

This dedicated preparation enabled him to overcome his Thai opponent Tharalat, who had defeated him at the 24th SEA Games.

“I felt more confident at these games as I was competing in my motherland where supporters cheered me on, especially my family,” he said.

“This medal is an award for our Party and government leaders, federation president Khemxad Thilaphandeth and the coaches who are behind my success today.”

His wife and daughter were among hundreds of fans who packed into the crowded auditorium and provided vocal support.

In this weight division, the silver medal went to Thailand and the bronze to Vietnam . Yesterday's competition was the last judo event of the games.

Three Lao fighters made it through to the final rounds in yesterday's competition, including Ms Sipapha Phommavihane and Mr Phensy Phonepaseud.

Ms Sipapha Phommavihane won the silver medal in the women's over 78kg division. The gold medal went to Thailand , while Vietnam and Myanmar both took bronze medals.

Mr Phensy won silver in the men's under 90 kg division, with the gold medal going to Myanmar , and Thailand and the Philippines each picking up bronze medals.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update December 18, 2009)