SNOOKER delivered the only gold for the Malaysian contingent yesterday on the ninth day of the 2023 SEA Games in Phnom Penh.

Thor Chuan Leong’s win in the men’s snooker singles event was to be the only success in Malaysia’s search for gold since the day before.

However, even “Mighty Thor” could not improve Malaysia’s medal standing as they remained seventh with a haul of 29 golds, 41 silvers and 79 bronzes.

It will be difficult for the Malaysian contingent to improve their position as sixth-placed Singapore have raked in 42 gold, 36 silver and 55 bronze medals with just three days to go before the Games end on Wednesday.

The national camp’s hopes of meeting the 40-gold target also look to be dim after events which used to be a gold mine for Malaysia, like diving, athletics, karate and silat, have already ended.

The national contingent will now focus on hockey, badminton and sepak takraw to add to their gold medal collection.

Tomorrow (May 15), the sepak takraw squad can add to the medal tally when they take on Indonesia in the men’s doubles final.

At the end of Day Nine, Vietnam continue to lead the medal tally with 107 golds, 90 silvers and 94 bronzes, followed by Thailand (90-67-88) while Indonesia (67-61-80) have overtaken hosts Cambodia (65-61-103) in third spot. The Philippines (46-72-86) are in fifth place. – Bernama, May 15, 2023.