SISAKET — “Fang” Theeraphong Silachai, a Thai national weightlifting athlete, won the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in the men’s 61 kg weight category. He is another person from the northeastern region of Thailand who has achieved a feat that brings pride to his local community.
Many Thai athletes who compete in strength-focused sports like weightlifting and boxing come from the Northeastern region (Isan) and from families with difficult financial circumstances. This includes Theeraphong, whose father supported his upbringing by selling aromatic coconuts from a motorcycle with a sidecar in Sisaket Province.
Theeraphong said that with the prize money he received from winning the silver medal, the first thing he wants to do is build a house for his father. He wants his father to have a home to live in. As for the remaining money, he hasn’t thought about or planned anything yet. He will probably save it for future use.
On August 8, Sem Silachai, Theeraphong’s father, gave an interview in Krabaudeu Village, Krahwan Subdistrict, Khun Han District, Sisaket, as relatives gathered to celebrate with joy and pride. Sem and the villagers also offered incense and candles at the village’s sacred shrine, where he had previously prayed for his son’s success.
He expressed his overwhelming joy and sleepless excitement. During the live broadcast of the competition, he was worried whether his son would be able to compete against the bigger athletes from other countries.
As he watched his son triumph over his competitors, he was immensely proud that his son had brought glory to the country and exceeded expectations by winning a silver medal after originally hoping for bronze at best.
The first thing he wanted to do was to hold a traditional ceremony to boost his son’s morale.
Sa-ngiam Muangsi, 66, Theeraphong’s aunt, said Fang had loved weightlifting since childhood. He trained diligently and participated in weightlifting since the third grade with the help of a physical education teacher at his elementary school. She is happy and proud of her nephew and wishes him to continue his efforts.
Theeraphong Silachai was born on May 29, 2003. He finished elementary school at Krabautalung Wittaya School, Krahwan sub-district, Khun Han district, Sisaket province. He then continued his education at Rajaprajanugroh 29 School in Sisaket Province until he graduated from high school and continued his studies at the National Sports College, Sisaket Campus. He is currently in his second year of studies, majoring in Sports Science and Health.
He started weightlifting seriously at Rajaprajanugroh 29 School in Sisaket Province in 2015 and attended the national team training camp in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province in 2017.
Theeraphong’s achievements include winning a silver medal in the men’s 61 kg category at the 2024 World Championships in Phuket, Thailand (one Olympic qualifying round), two bronze medals in the men’s 61 kg category at the 2023 Asian Championships in South Korea (one Olympic qualifying round) and two gold medals in the men’s 55kg category at the 2022 World Championships in Colombia (one Olympic qualifying round).
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