Banlung Tubtimdang in action during the gold medal match.

Taekwondo had entered the 33rd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games with a bold promise of delivering at least five gold medals. By yesterday evening, the Thai squad had not only met that target but surged past it, collecting three more titles to lift their tally to six — with one full day of competition still to come.

It was a statement of depth, dominance and discipline from a team that has long been one of Thailand’s most reliable medal engines.

The star of the day was, unsurprisingly, reigning world champion Banlung Tubtimdang, who once again showed why he is considered one of the sport’s brightest rising forces.

Making his SEA Games debut, Banlung was a class above the field in the men’s 68kg division, dismantling Lao Nusair of the Philippines with scores of 11-5 and 20-2 on his way to the gold medal.

The 21-year-old, who recently captured the world title in Wuxi, China, fought with the poise of a veteran and the sharpness of a man fully aware of the expectations placed upon him.

Thanathorn Saejo added to the golden haul with a composed 2-0 victory over Indonesia’s Raihan Fadhila in the men’s 80kg final.

Young Sirawit Mahamad produced one of the most dramatic moments of the day. Roared on by a packed crowd at Fashion Island, Sirawit unleashed a perfectly timed head kick with just three seconds remaining to stun Vietnam’s Dinh Ciong Khoa and secure the men’s title.

There were also podium finishes for the women, with Kamchanok Seeken taking silver after falling to Keizha Tachiana of the Philippines in the 49kg final, and Kannaluck Chuenchooklin earning bronze after bowing out in the semi-finals.

Canoe success story

Thailand’s success was not limited to the mats.

In Rayong, the canoeing team wrapped up their campaign in style, adding two more gold medals on the final day of competition.

The men’s canoe four 200m squad powered to victory in 34.223 seconds, finishing almost a full second ahead of Myanmar and Indonesia.

Moments later, the men’s kayak four 200m crew delivered another triumph, clocking 30.540 seconds in a tight battle with Singapore, who settled for silver.

The women’s canoe double 200m team narrowly missed out on gold, losing to Vietnam in a photo finish and taking home a well-earned silver.

Ju-jitsu stays in limelight

Ju-jitsu athletes also ensured Thailand remained firmly in the spotlight.

Warawut Saengsrirung and Lalita Yuennan captured the mixed duo show title with a score of 54 points, edging compatriots Kunsatri Kumsroi and Ratcharat Yimprai, who took silver with 52. Vietnam A finished third on 49.5.

The ne-waza events added three more golds to the tally, with Suwijak Kuntong overwhelming fellow Thai Naphat Mathupan 50-0 in the men’s 62kg final, Orapa Senatham defeating Maria Elissavet Kokkoliou by the same scoreline in the women’s 63kg final, and Chanwit Aunjai beating Singapore’s Paul Lim Tian Zhi 4-0.

Siwakon’s moment

Karate also delivered a golden moment courtesy of Siwakon Muekthong, who showed impeccable timing and composure to land a decisive strike in the dying second of his men’s 60kg final against John Christian Lachica of the Philippines.

His 1-0 victory secured his first SEA Games gold — a perfect early birthday gift as he prepares to turn 24.

Thailand’s women’s cricket team continued their dominance in the region, brushing aside Indonesia in the T10 final.

Chasing a modest target of 40 runs, the Thais needed just five overs and lost only one wicket on their way to the gold medal.

In baseball, Thailand settled for silver after a competitive 5-3 loss to defending champions the Philippines.

Sasiwimon Mueangphuan celebrates with her gold medal.

Gymnasts add two

It was another great day for the Thai gymnasts as they picked up two more gold medals yesterday.

Sasiwimon Mueangphuan led the charge with a gold medal performance in the women’s floor event, scoring 13.367 points to claim the top honours.

Weerapat Chuaisom also topped the podium in the men’s horizontal bar with 13.400 points, tying with Indonesia’s Abiyurafi while Fuga Nomura picked up bronze in the men’s parallel bars with 12.167.

A day after his victory in the floor event, Tikumporn Surintornta bagged his second medal of the Games, finishing third in the vault final with 13.717 points.

On right course

On the golf course, Thailand positioned themselves strongly for more medals. Pongsapak Laopakdee surged to the top of the men’s individual leaderboard after a superb two-day total of 13-under 131 at Siam Country Club Rolling Hills in Chon Buri.

His second-round 66 put him six shots clear of compatriot Pairin Sarasmut, who fired a 64. Thailand also led the men’s team standings at 19-under 413, ahead of Indonesia and Vietnam.

In the women’s competition, Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul carded a 70 to lead the individual event on four-under 140, three shots ahead of teammate Prim Prachnakorn. Thailand also topped the women’s team standings on 283, seven shots clear of Singapore.

Tennis progress

Tennis brought more good news as both the men’s and women’s teams advanced to their respective finals.

The top-seeded women swept the Philippines 3-0, with Mananchaya Sawangkaew and Lanna Tararudee winning their singles matches before Totsaporn Nakloh and Patcharin Cheapchandej clinched the doubles in two tiebreak sets.

They will face Indonesia in the final. The men’s team also progressed with a 3-0 win over Malaysia and will meet Indonesia for the gold.

Puripol eyes more

Sprint sensation Puripol Boonson returns to the track today in search of his second gold of the Games in the 200m.

The 19-year-old lit up the stadium on Thursday with a blistering 9.94 in the 100m preliminaries — a new national record and Asian U20 record — before winning the final in 10.00 seconds.

The performance made “Angel Bew” the fifth-fastest U20 sprinter in history and the first Thai to break the 10-second barrier.