Ariya, Ratchanok top Thailand Olympic medal hopes

Newly-crowned British Open golf champion Ariya Jutanugarn and former world badminton number one Ratchanok Intanon both are strong contenders for an Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro

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Ariya's confidence sky high before Rio

KITTIPONG THONGSOMBAT

Ariya Jutanugarn and Thongchai Jaidee will share a caddie when they represent Thailand in the golf competition at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Women's British Open champion Ariya and Thongchai, two of the four Thai golfers competing in Rio, are both planning to have Posom Meeposom as their caddie during the Games, which officially start on Friday.

Former professional golfer Posom, who has been carrying Thongchai's bag for more than a year, will do the job for the former soldier in the men's event from Aug 11-14 and then for Ariya in the women's tournament from Aug 17-20.

Despite achieving many goals this year, including taking her first LPGA title, winning her first major and climbing up to the top five in the world, Ariya said that she is still as motivated as ever and is now setting new goals for herself including becoming world No.1 and getting a medal in Rio.

"My next goal is to be world No.1 but I can't really focus on that right now," she said. "I am still well behind [No.1] Lydia [Ko] and the gap is quite wide."

After her victories in May, Ariya said that she has become increasingly confident in her own ability and, with her latest win being her first major success, she believes an Olympic medal is now a real possibility.

"I have about 10 days to practise and I will try to focus on my short game as I feel I can make it better," said Ariya.

Ariya is scheduled to leave for Rio on Aug 10, seven days before the women's golf competition starts.

The other two Thai golfers, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Pornanong Phatlum, will use their own caddies.

Phra Prommangkalachan blesses badminton star Ratchanok Intanon and other athletes before they head off to the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. APICHART JINAKUL

Meanwhile, badminton's world No.4 Ratchanok Intanon has been confirmed as the flag bearer for Thailand during the opening ceremony on Friday.

"I am a bit exhausted after a long flight, but it will not be a problem by Friday," said Ratchanok.

The former world No.1, tipped to take home the country's first-ever medal in badminton, will start her campaign against Kati Tolmoff of Estonia in the group stage of the women's singles event on Aug 11.

Veteran Boonsak Ponsana, who will make his fifth Olympic appearance, will kick off his campaign against world No.4 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark in the men's singles event on the same day.

In athletics, marathon runners Natthaya Thanaronnawat and Boonthueng Srisang, who are both making their Olympic debuts, said they are concerned about the 9.30am starting time, which is too late for the discipline.

"For safety reasons, they are starting the event a bit later instead of early in the morning," Boonthueng said.

The 37-year-old Natthaya, formerly Saifon Piawong, said that running later in the morning will definitely affect her performance.

The women's marathon will be on Aug 14 and the men's event on Aug 21.

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