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After an action-packed 11 days in London, the Thai delegation of physically challenged athletes ended their Paralympic Games campaign on a high note yesterday, finishing 31st overall with a total of four gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
Pattaya TadtonG, centre, on the top of the victory podium after winning Thailand
Thailand sent a squad of 50 athletes to compete in 10 events at the 14th Paralympics, setting their sights on only two gold medals. However, the spirited contestants proved their talent went beyond their physical handicaps.
Rungroj Thainiyom, who has muscular dystrophy, made the country proud by getting its first gold in the men's individual table tennis on September 2.
The second gold came from an impressive performance by the quartet led by Pattaya Tadtong in mixed boccia, while wheelchair-bound fencer Saysunee Jana took the third gold in women's epee.
On Saturday, the penultimate day, 33-year-old Pattaya was on cloud nine after capturing his second gold at the London Paralympic Games by trouncing David Smith from host nation the United Kingdom 7-0 in the men's individual boccia showdown.
On the same day, a wheelchair-bound men's foursome picked up a well-earned silver medal in the 400-metre relay after clocking the season-best time of 3.13.28 minutes. The remarkable success put Thailand fifth in Asia and first in Asean.
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