Thais' secret recipe for success

Chinese and Malaysian sepak takraw players show off their physical prowess during a group match on Tuesday. Yang Shizhong/ China Daily

GUANGZHOU - Thailand's women's sepak takraw team has a secret weapon.

Before each game, the players exchange written notes of encouragement.

Payom Srihongsa, 25, smiled as she read two notes while massaging her ankle before Wednesday's match against the Republic of Korea (ROK).

"We will be the champion this time and we all trust you," Srihongsa read aloud from one note written by teammate Sunthari Rupsung.

On the other, Nisa Thanaattawut wrote: "Let everyone see our smile as the Asian Games champion when we go home. We can do it!"

The message was accompanied by a small drawing of Thailand's flag.

Both writers were competing in the first regu (set) and later won it for the team.

In sepak takraw team match play, nine players are divided into three groups and play all three regus. Whoever wins the most regus wins the match,

Srihongsa, who also sent notes to other members of the team, said reading them gives her lots of encouragement before each game because it makes her feel like all her teammates are with her.

"Although we see and talk to each other every day, when thoughts are put in writing, it means something special," she said.

Srihongsa was disappointed that her team only managed to win the silver medal at the Doha Asian Games four years ago after losing to Vietnam.

"We will bring the gold medal back this time," she vowed.

Unlike Srihongsa, who has played in three Asian Games, this is the first Asiad for 22-year-old Wanwisa Jankaen, and she is excited about playing alongside her idol, Suebsak Phunsueb.

Phunsueb is Thailand's sepak takraw superstar and a two-time Asian Games double gold medalist whose serve has been clocked at speeds of up to 160 km/h.

"The notes make the girls more united and maybe it is our secret weapon for winning," said Jankaen.

"I am very proud of being able to represent Thailand, where sepak takraw is huge."

With the help of the notes, Thailand beat China and the ROK in the preliminary women's group matches, but the Thais could face a stiff challenge from the ROK, Vietnam and historic rival Malaysia.

After a narrow win over the ROK in the men's team final at the King's Cup World Championship in July, Thailand is taking nothing for granted.

In the women's event, Vietnam is aiming to build on its two gold medals in Doha in the team event and doubles.

Vietnamese hopes are pinned on an experienced squad in the team event, while China is hoping to win its first sepak takraw gold after claiming three bronze in Doha.

As host nation, China can compete in all six sepak takraw events. Other teams can enter a maximum of four.

China Daily