Lao boxer strikes gold

Four Lao boxers in different weight divisions fought in the final rounds of men's boxing events at the Olympasia Stadium on Thursday but only one of them struck gold.

Winners and the boxing organising committee gather after the game.

Gold medallist for Laos in the men's light welterweight 64kg division, Vilasak Khouandy, defeated his Vietnamese opponent Phan SonTung 5-0 in the final round.

From the first to third rounds, Vilasak was able get in some good punches on his opponent but Phan went for a strategy of gaining points.

Vilasak said he was at his most confident in the final round after beating his Philippine opponent Loegin Landon in the first round.

This was his first time on the national team at the SEA Games.

Now aged 31, Vilasak was born in Pakkading village in Pakkading district, Borikhamxay province, where he works as a policeman.

He said if he had the chance to study police work in Vientiane he would continue to train in boxing. He hopes to fight in the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia .

Vilasak won a gold medal at the 8th National Games in Champassak province last year before joining the national team for the SEA Games in Vientiane .

In another fight, Lao boxer Xayyaphone Chanthasone lost in the final round to Thai Amnat Ruenroeng in the men's flyweight 51kg category.

The referee awarded Amnat the gold medal because Xayyaphone only jabbed at his opponent.

Xayyaphone said he was unable to strike his opponent because he was too quick and evaded his blows.

The Lao women's boxing team competed in four different categories on Wednesday, winning a silver medal in the women's 48kg division at the Olympasia Stadium.

Men's boxing results on Thursday:

Men's 45kg: Philippines ' Vicera Bills takes gold.

Lao Sikham Vongpakhoun wins silver.

Men's 69kg: Thai Apichet Saensit wins gold.

Lao Chanthachone Keoudone wins silver.

By Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
(Latest Update December 18, 2009)