There is only one week left until the 2024 Paris Olympics officially concludes, but so far, no Southeast Asian sports delegation has won a medal.
Thailand sent 51 athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympics, placing high hopes on martial arts and badminton. However, up to now, they have not won any medals.
Firstly, Thailand has failed in some expected events. Boxer Banjong Sinsiri lost 0-5 in the bronze medal match, while Subenrat Insaeng, a female discus thrower who has won the SEA Games 7 times, did not make it to the medal round.
Secondly, in some other events, Thai athletes have not yet advanced to the medal round. In badminton, Kunlavut Vitidsarn has reached the semi-finals and is very close to a medal. However, his opponent is Lee Zii Jia from Malaysia. Only one of these two Southeast Asian athletes has a chance to win a gold medal after the upcoming men’s singles match.
In terms of the number of athletes, Indonesia is second. They brought 29 athletes, of which 18 were eliminated after more than half of the Paris Olympics. Some sports, Indonesia’s elimination was not surprising, but some of their athletes also did not perform as expected.
The biggest disappointment is certainly in badminton. The two biggest hopes, Christie and Ginting, did not even make it past the first round. Remember, these two names were once in the world’s Top 10. Indonesia can only put their faith in Tunjung when she will compete in the quarterfinals of the women’s singles this afternoon.
In addition, the two events that Indonesia expected to compete in have not yet been competed in, including weightlifting and mountain climbing. These are two events that Indonesia believes will win medals, even gold. This year, they aim to bring home 3 gold medals from Paris 2024.
In badminton, Indonesia’s medal hopes rest on Tunjung
On August 7, Indonesia’s remaining strong sports will compete in the finals. But with the defeat in badminton, it can be said that the goal of winning 3 gold medals for this sports delegation is very difficult to come true.
For Malaysia and Singapore, their biggest stars are also in badminton. Loh Kean Yew (Singapore) was eliminated in the men’s singles, while tonight, the Tan/Thinaah pair will hope to bring home a bronze medal, possibly the first medal for Malaysian sports.
For the Vietnamese delegation, the focus will be on Trinh Thu Vinh’s shooting final at 2:30 p.m. In the qualifying round of the 25m pistol event yesterday afternoon (August 2), Thu Vinh excellently finished in 4th place. Up to this point, she is the athlete closest to a medal for Vietnamese sports when she ranked 4th in the final of the women’s 10m air pistol.
