A Thai weightlifter from Isan won Olympic silver in Paris and plans to use the prize money to build a house for his father.
A Thai weightlifter from Isan won Olympic silver in Paris and plans to use the prize money to build a house for his father
Thai weightlifter Tirapong Silachai, known as “Fang,” won a silver medal at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris in the men’s 61kg weight category. Khaosod reported that the achievement brought pride to his home community in Thailand’s northeastern region.
Many Thai athletes competing in power sports such as weightlifting and boxing come from the northeastern region of Thailand (Isan) and families with complex financial situations. Tirapong is no exception – his father made a living selling flavored coconuts from a sidecar motorcycle in Sisaket province.
After winning, Tirapong said he first wanted to use the prize money to build a house for his father. “I want my father to have his own house,” the athlete said. He plans to save the rest of the money for future use.
On Aug. 8, Tirapong’s father, Sem Silachai, was interviewed in his village of Krabawde in Sisaket province. He expressed his overwhelming joy and said he could not sleep from excitement during the live broadcast of the competition. Sem feared whether his son could compete with more prominent athletes from other countries. When Tirapong defeated his rivals, his father felt immense pride that his son had glorified the country and exceeded expectations by winning a silver medal.
The athlete’s aunt, Sa-Nghiam Muangsi, 66, said Fang had loved weightlifting since childhood. He had been training hard and practicing weightlifting since the third grade with the help of a physical education teacher in elementary school.
Tirapong Silachai was born on May 29, 2003. He graduated from Krabautalung Wittaya Primary School in Sisaket province and then continued his studies at Rajaprajanugrah 29 High School in the same province. He is currently a second-year student at the National Sports College in Sisaket, majoring in Sports Science and Health.
Tirapong started weightlifting seriously in 2015 and joined the national team’s training camp in Chiang Mai province in 2017.
The athlete’s achievements include a silver medal at the 2024 World Championships in Phuket, Thailand, two bronze medals at the 2023 Asian Championships in South Korea, and two gold medals at the 2022 World Championships in Colombia.
This is how sports can change the lives of an individual and an entire family. Tirapong Silachai’s success at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris was a personal achievement for the athlete and a source of pride for his family and the entire Isan region.
The Isan region, where Tirapong hails from, is known for its sporting tradition, especially in strength sports. This is due to the agricultural region’s harsh living and working conditions, which mold physically strong and challenging people.
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